The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum is native to northern
Argentina and parts of Peru and Paraguay. It was introduced into
the Caribbean islands in the 1960’s to control several (native)
prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia) species (Simonson 2005). In 1989
the cactus moth was discovered to have spread to southern
Florida. The moth probably entered the United States more than
once (Simonsen et al. 2008) - either on winds from nearby
Caribbean islands or on imported cactus plants. In the 20 years
since, the cactus moth has spread up the peninsula as far north
as coastal South Carolina and west along the shore of the Gulf
of Mexico. (There are both native prickly pear cacti and
ornamental cacti throughout the Southeast.) In 2009, it was
detected growing on spoil islands in the swamps of southern
Louisiana. The cactus moth can kill most prickly pear cacti
(genus Opuntia), in particular those species that have flat
pads. In Florida, the cactus moth has already caused
considerable harm to the six species of vulnerable