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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #230054
Title: COMPARATIVE PHENOLOGY OF CACTOBLASTIS CACTORUM AND MELITARA PRODENIALIS (LEPIDOPTERA): PESTS OF CACTUS IN FLORIDA

Author
item Legaspi, Jesusa
item BAEZ, IGNACIO - USDA-APHIS-CPHST
item Marshall, Keith

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2008
Publication Date: 3/3/2008
Citation: Legaspi, J.C., Baez, I., Marshall, K.L. 2008. COMPARATIVE PHENOLOGY OF CACTOBLASTIS CACTORUM AND MELITARA PRODENIALIS (LEPIDOPTERA): PESTS OF CACTUS IN FLORIDA. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: Not required.

Technical Abstract: We surveyed native cactus plants (Opuntia stricta) at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, St. Marks, FL from September 2006 – September 2007 for the invasive cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum and the native blue cactus moth, Melitara prodenialis. Every week, we visually counted the numbers and recorded the stage of both insect species from a select number of plants. Pheromone traps were used to collect adult male C. cactorum. Results indicate that the invasive cactus moth, C. cactorum undergoes 3 generations in one year. On the other hand, the native blue cactus moth, M. prodenialis undergoes 2 generations per year.