UGA Cooperative Extension

Glynn Co. Sr. 4-H, "Sea Monkeys"
The Prickly Pear Cactus vs. Cactoblastis cactorum

The Florida (Georgia) Times-Union article on the Glynn 4-H Cactus Efforts

GO PRICKLY!!!

Our 4-H club has been monitoring the devastation to the native Prickly Pear Cactus. This damage is being done by an invasive Argentinean moth, the Cactoblastis cactorum. Each week, we change out the only USDA's cactus moth traps in Georgia and FedEx them to Tallahassee, FL. This data is then analyzed by Stephen Hight, Ph.D. USDA-ARS. As we go into our second year of data collection, we hope that these indigenous cactus are not doomed to be on a list of endangered species.

Above/Below: Prickly Pear Cactus on the DNR Nature Trail- invested and damaged by the Cactoblastis cactorum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below: Brandon GPS's the cactus stands with obvious infestation.

The only USDA Cactoblastis cactorum traps in Georgia are maintained by our Glynn Co. 4-H'ers.

4-H'ers changing out the USDA's "cactus moth" traps.

These traps are under the Sidney Lanier bridge in Glynn County.

Georgia's official reptile: the Gopher Tortoise is a threatened specie. Unfortunately, one of the staples of the Gopher Tortoise is the Prickly Pear Cactus (flowers, fruit, and pads).

We hope it isn't too late for the Gopher Tortoise and the Prickly Pear Cactus.

Above: the Cactoblastis cactorum at adult stage

Above: the larval stage is the most destructive stage of the Cactoblastis cactorum

Above: Egg sticks are tiny eggs "stacked" on the needles of the cactus

Above: Changing trap bottoms and pheromone lures