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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Pyralid and Crambid Snout Moths (Pyraloidea) » Pyralid Moths (Pyralidae) » Phycitinae » Phycitini » Cactus-Feeding Group » Cactoblastis » Cactus Moth - Hodges#5970.1 (Cactoblastis cactorum)
Photo#643221
Tropical Cactus Borer - Cactoblastis cactorum
Copyright © 2012 Shannon Donavan

Tropical Cactus Borer - Cactoblastis cactorum
Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA
May 17, 2012
These were all over cactus plants near woodlands.

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Tropical Cactus Borer - Cactoblastis cactorum Tropical Cactus Borer - Cactoblastis cactorum Tropical Cactus Borer - Cactoblastis cactorum
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Contributed by Shannon Donavan on 17 May, 2012 - 11:56pm
Last updated 23 May, 2012 - 2:30pm

yes
very nasty for the cacti. Probably should be reported to the local extension agent, or university ag. department. These are devastating native cactus populations, and an attempt is being made to both track the progress of their invasion, and to control them. They can wipe out entire populations of cacti in a year or two, and most of the cacti in Florida grow nowhere else.

Moved from ID Request.
… David J. Ferguson, 23 May, 2012 - 12:53am login or register to post comments

Maybe...
Tropical Cactus Borer?

… Yurika Alexander, 18 May, 2012 - 12:11am login or register to post comments

 
Thanks Yurika
Being born and raised in Tampa it seems odd that I never seen or heard of these before.... now having read about them I suppose it's probably a good thing I haven't.
… Shannon Donavan, 18 May, 2012 - 7:20am login or register to post comments

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