Contagious-distribution
Guides
Cactoblastis
Cactoblastis is a genus of snout moths (Pyralidae) described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1901. The genus contains five described species native to South America, with C. cactorum being the most extensively studied due to its historical role as a biological control agent. Larvae are specialized internal feeders on cactus cladodes, and the genus is notable for complex collective behaviors in neonate caterpillars. C. cactorum was famously introduced to Australia in 1925 to control invasive prickly pear cacti, achieving significant success, though later spreading to threaten native Opuntia species in other regions.
LepidopteraPyralidaebiological-controlOpuntiacactus-mothherbivorysocial-behaviorinvasive-speciesclassical-biological-controlSouth-AmericaAustraliaFloridaneonate-aggregationegg-stickinternal-feedermeristem-feedermandibular-gland-markingtrail-followingcontagious-distributionpopulation-regulationhost-specificityecosystem-impacthistorical-ecologypestconservation-concernEpinotia nanana
European spruce needleminer, green spruce leaf miner, green spruce needle miner
Epinotia nanana is a small tortricid moth whose larvae are specialized needle miners of spruce trees. Native to Europe and Asia, it has been introduced to North America where it has become a pest of ornamental and forest spruce. The species has a univoltine life cycle with larvae overwintering in mined needles and completing development the following spring. Larval feeding creates distinctive silken webbing that secures mined needles to twigs.