Mating Frequency of the Male Cactus Moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Under Laboratory Conditions

Extended Geographical Distribution and Host Range of the Cactus Moth, Cactoblastis Cactorum (lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in Argentina

Trail Marking by Larvae of the Cactus Moth, Cactoblastis cactorum

The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), spends most of its larval life feeding within the cladodes of Opuntia cactuses, but the gregarious caterpillars begin their life outside the plant, and in the later instars make intermittent excursions over plant surfaces to access new cladodes and to thermoregulate. The study reported here showed that when the caterpillars...

Flight Phenology of Male Cactoblastis Cactorum (lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at Different Latitudes in the Southeastern United States

Long term trapping studies of the invasive moth Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) were conducted at various latitudes from Puerto Rico to South Carolina. Three flight periods per year were identified at the 5 temperate sites studied, which covered the majority of the infested range on mainland United States. In general, the 3 flight periods across a latitudinal gradient from south Florida to central...

Collectively Facilitated Behavior of the Neonate Caterpillars of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The behavioral biology of the first instar larva of Cactoblastis cactorum was studied from the time of eclosion until the colony penetrated and initiated excavation of the host plant. Hatching from an egg stick was asynchronous, requiring 20 h for the entire cohort to eclose at 50%-70% RH and significantly longer at a lower range of RHs. On eclosion, neonates aggregated in an arena at the base ...

ECOLOGY AND POPULATION BIOLOGY Reproduction, Longevity, and Survival of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Screened potted cactus,Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., plants containing pairs of adult male and female cactus moths, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), were placed in a cactus Þeld in St. Marks, FL, to measure oviposition patterns under ambient conditions. Results showed a narrow window for oviposition during third and sixth day of adult femaleÕs life. Peak oviposition act...