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unusual facts about A monument to the ''Cactoblastis cactorum



Gravesend, New South Wales

In the 1930s, Gravesend was the site of a research station breeding Cactoblastis moths later released to eradicate a devastating prickly pear infestation.

Nopal

Detection of the cactus-eating moth Cactoblastis cactorum in Mexico in 2006 caused anxiety among the country's phytosanitary authorities, as this insect can be potentially devastating for the cactus industry.

Opuntia phaeacantha

This plant, like other Opuntia species, is attacked by cactus moth.

Opuntia stricta

In Australia it has been the subject of one of the first really effective biological control exercises using the moth Cactoblastis cactorum.

Prickly pears in Australia

The moth Cactoblastis cactorum from South America, whose larvae eat prickly pear, was introduced in 1925 and almost wiped out the population.

Shire of Tara

Prickly Pear infestation in the early 1900s had a devastating effect on the area that was only alleviated by the introduction of the cactoblastis moth.


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