 |
February 2020
|
 |
 |
Cactus Moth Discovered in More Texas Counties
Unfortunately, in December the cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) was found in more counties in Texas than just in Brazoria County where it was found for the first time in 2018. This insect has the potential to cause major damage to the prickly pear species (Opuntia spp.) in Texas, which would lead to both environmental and economic harm, so this is bad news. The discovery of the additional infestations in Calhoun, Colorado, and Matagorda Counties is described in a Facebook post by Dr. Lawrence Gilbert of the University of Texas at Austin, who with colleagues found the pests. While it is very unfortunate that the cactus moth is in Texas, we are quite fortunate that Dr. Gilbert and his colleagues discovered it in more counties, because that means that we now know that its distribution is greater than previously known and that we now recognize that resources must be rallied as soon as possible to prevent its spread and hopefully even rid our state of it.
For more information on the cactus moth, see the Invasive Species Spotlight below, and this webpage and this webpage.
If you think you have found cactus moth damage, egg stacks, or larvae (adults are difficult to identify), please submit a Sentinel Pest Network report as soon as possible! You will need to take a good photo that experts will be able to use to determine what species you found.
|
 |
Cactus moth larva. Credit: Susan Ellis, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org
 |
 |
 |
National Invasive Species Awareness Week II Is Coming
NISAW Part II – Local Events and Awareness runs May 16-23, 2020. It will cover:
- Press release toolkit
- Action toolkit
- Find local invasive species prevention, removal, and educational events
You could be involved! If you are an Invaders of Texas citizen scientist, consider doing some mapping for the week, perform some removal or restoration, or contact your Satellite Group to see what can be done locally. Go to the National Invasive Species Awareness Week website for more information as it becomes available.
|
 |
Credit: NISAW/NAISMA
|
 |
 |
Invasive Spotlight:
Cactus Moth
(Cactoblastis cactorum)
The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, is a considerable threat to the native Opuntia cactus population and the ecosystem it supports. The larvae of the cactus moth live and feed communally inside the pads of any species of prickly pear cacti, which eventually kills the plant if the infestation is high enough. The cactus moth, a native of South America, is so efficient at eliminating Opuntia cacti that it is used as a biological control agent in areas where Opuntia are invasive. It has the potential to destroy Opuntia communites from Texas down through Mexico.
Cactus moth larvae are pink-cream colored at first and as they age they become bright orange-red with large dark spots forming transverse bands. Mature larvae are 2.5 to 3 cm (about an inch) long. The larvae are much easier to identify than the non-descript adults. Females lay on average 70-90 eggs in a distinctive stick-like formation that extends out from the cactus pad.
Damage to cactus pads by feeding can be identified by characteristic oozing of internal plant juices and insect droppings. The interior of the pads may be entirely eaten, resulting in a translucent pad.
Unfortunately, the cactus moth has now been found in Texas, in Brazoria County in 2018 and in Calhoun, Colorado, and Matagorda Counties in 2019. It is established in Florida and South Carolina and has been reported in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. It is one of the “Dirty Dozen” pest species identified by the Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council. Therefore, it is one of the “Report It!” alert species on the Texasinvasives.org website and reporting app.
If you believe you have found cactus moth damage, egg stacks or larvae (adults are difficult to identify), please report it. You will need to submit a photo.
Follow this link and this link for more information on the cactus moth.
|
 |
Photo credits: (top) Susan Ellis, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org; (mid) Jeffrey W. Lotz, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org; (bottom) CMDMN
Left: Frass and oozing. (http://www.arc.agric.za/arc- ppri/Fact%20Sheets%20Library/Cactoblastis%20
cactorum, %20cactus%20moth.pdf)
Right: Translucence (LSU AgCenter)

Source: Cactus Moth Detection and Monitoring Network (CMDMN) (2017)
|

|
 |
More News
How Burmese Pythons Took Over the Florida Everglades
Starting in the 1980s, the swamps of the South Florida Everglades have been overrun by one of the most damaging invasive species the region has ever seen: the Burmese python (Python bivittatus). Learn more about how the snake became a problem at the History Channel's website.
Researchers Are Working to Find Out Why the Lionfish Population Is Taking a Dive
Researchers with Florida Fish and Wildlife say fewer Lionfish (Pterois volitans) are being seen on Florida reefs frequently used by divers. They're not sure why, but they believe it will help to know why they have thrived in Florida waters in the first place. Read more at fox4now.com.
Generalist Diet Helps Invasive Crayfish Thrive Where It's Introduced
An invasive species of crayfish that is taking over streams from Wisconsin to Maine might be successful because it's not a fussy eater, according to biologists. The rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) is native to Ohio but is thriving as far away as Canada. Read more at sciencedaily.com.
Asian Hornet Spreads to Northern Germany
Known to prey on many insects, including honeybees and other beneficiary species, the Asian hornet (Vespa mandarinia), which had recently invaded parts of Europe, presents a serious threat to apiculture and even to ecosystems. In early September 2019, a single specimen was collected alive in Hamburg (Germany), representing the northernmost find of the species so far. Read more at sciencedaily.com.
Why the Goby Can Conquer the Waters of the World
The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), one of the most common invasive freshwater fish in the world, boasts a particularly robust immune system, which could be one of the reasons for its excellent adaptability. Read more at sciencedaily.com.
|
 |
 |
If you would like to highlight a successful invasive species project or nominate a special person to be highlighted in an upcoming iWire, please send the details to iwire@texasinvasives.org.
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
Sentinel Pest Network and Invaders of Texas Workshops
Invaders of Texas workshops train volunteers to detect and report invasive species as citizen scientists. Workshops, which are free, are designed to introduce participants to invasive species and the problems they cause, cover aspects of invasive species management, and teach identification of local invasive plants, and to train participants to report invasive plants using the TX Invaders mobile application. The workshop is 7 hours long (usually on a Saturday, but scheduling is arranged with each individual host group). The workshop satisfies Master Naturalist training requirements.
Sentinel Pest Network workshops serve to increase the awareness and early detection of a set of particularly important invasive species, to help prevent their spread into Texas or their further spread within Texas. Participants learn to identify species such as the Emerald Ash Borer, Cactus Moth, Asian Longhorned Beetle, and other pests of regulatory significance, and to report them. The workshop is 3.5 hours long. The workshop satisfies Master Naturalist training requirements.
Upcoming Workshops:
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Invaders of Texas Workshop
Location: Landa Haus, 360 Aquatic Circle (New Braunfels, TX)
Contact: Jean Wilson
For more information or to register to attend a free workshop, please visit the Workshop Page.
If you are interested in hosting or scheduling an Invaders of Texas Citizen Science or Sentinel Pest Network workshop in your area, please email the Invaders Program Coordinator.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|