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Laura Varone - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Ecological Niche Modeling to Calculate Ideal Sites to Introduce a Natural Enemy: The Case of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to Control Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America.
Insects, 2020Co-Authors: Nidia Bélgica Pérez-de La O, Stephen D Hight, Saúl Espinosa-zaragoza, Víctor López-martínez, Laura VaroneAbstract:The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is an invasive species in North America where it threatens Opuntia native populations. The insect is expanding its distribution along the United States Gulf Coast. In the search for alternative strategies to reduce its impact, the introduction of a natural enemy, Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez and Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), is being pursued as a biological control option. To identify promising areas to intentionally introduce A. opuntiarum for the control of C. cactorum, we estimated the overlap of fundamental ecological niches of the two species to predict their common geographic distributions using the BAM diagram. Models were based on native distributional data for both species, 19 bioclimatic variables, and the Maxent algorithm to calculate the environmental suitability of both species in North America. The environmental suitability of C. cactorum in North America was projected from Florida to Texas (United States) along the Gulf coastal areas, reaching Mexico in northern regions. Apanteles opuntiarum environmental suitability showed a substantial similarity with the calculations for C. cactorum in the United States. Intentional introductions of A. opuntiarum in the actual distribution areas of the cactus moth are predicted to be successful; A. opuntiarum will find its host in an environment conducive to its survival and dispersal.
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Molecular detection method developed to track the koinobiont larval parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) imported from Argentina to control Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Florida Entomologist, 2019Co-Authors: Mrittunjai Srivastava, Stephen D Hight, Pratibha Srivastava, Ratna Karan, Ayyamperumal Jeyaprakash, Leroy Whilby, Eric Rohrig, Amy C. Howe, Laura VaroneAbstract:Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a native natural enemy of the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum Berg (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Argentina, where the 2 species are believed to have co-evolved. Cactoblastis cactorum is an established invasive pest in the US that is rapidly spreading throughout the southeast. Apanteles opuntiarum was imported from Argentina, and reared at the Division of Plant Industry containment facility in Gainesville, Florida, for study as a possible biocontrol agent for release in the US to control C. cactorum. A DNA barcode was developed to enable the identification of the reared parasitoid population. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene of the A. opuntiarum reared in Florida containment was found to be identical to its Argentine founders, but distinctly different from the COI sequences of all other reported Apanteles species in the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) GenBank. Additionally, the AoF1 and AoR1 primer pair developed in this study specifically amplified the COI gene of A. opuntiarum, but did not amplify the COI gene of the host C. cactorum. Therefore, the COI gene fragment identified in this study has the potential to be used as a DNA barcode specific to A. opuntiarum that can aid in tracking and identifying this parasitoid inside hosts. Resumen Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) es un enemigo natural de la polilla de la tuna Cactoblastis cactorum Berg (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) en Argentina, su rango nativo, donde han co-evolucionado. Cactoblastis cactorum es una especie invasora establecida en Estados Unidos, que se esta dispersando rapidamente hacia el sudeste de este pais. Apanteles opuntiarum fue importado desde Argentina y es criado en la cuarentena de Gainesville, Florida (Division of Plant Industry), donde esta siendo evaluado como posible agente de control de C. cactorum, para ser liberado en Estados Unidos. Se desarrollo un codigo de barras de ADN para permitir la identificacion de la poblacion de parasitoides criada. Se encontro que el gen de la citocromo oxidasa mitocondrial I (COI) de los A. opuntiarum criados en Florida fue identico al de sus fundadores argentinos, y claramente diferente de las secuencias de COI de todas las demas especies de Apanteles reportados en el GenBank del NCBI (Centro Nacional de informacion sobre biotecnologia). Ademas, el par “primer” AoF1 y AoR1 desarrollado en este estudio amplifico especificamente el gen COI de A. opuntiarum, y no amplifico el gen de la COI del hospedador C. cactorum. Por lo tanto, el fragmento del gen COI identificado en este estudio tiene el potencial para ser utilizados como un codigo de barras de ADN especifico para A. opuntiarum que puede ayudar en el seguimiento y la identificacion de este parasitoide dentro de los hospedadores. Key Words: biological control; host range tests; Opuntia; parasitoids; COI gene; DNA barcode View this article in BioOne https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0207
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Field Host Range of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Argentina, a Potential Biocontrol Agent of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America
Florida Entomologist, 2015Co-Authors: Laura Varone, James E Carpenter, Guillermo A. Logarzo, Juan José Martínez, Fernando Navarro, Stephen D HightAbstract:Summary Field exploration in Argentina for cactophagous lepidopteran hosts parasitized by the recently described braconid parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) revealed a host range restricted to Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and C. doddi. Field collections of cactophagous larvae parasitized by the congeneric and sympatric parasitoid A. alexanderi included the host species C. bucyrus, Sigelgaita nr. chilensis, Tucumania sp., Tucumania tapiacola and Salambona sp. If a narrow host range for A. opuntiarum is confirmed in quarantine with North American cactus-feeding species, then this parasitoid could be released as a biological control agent for C. cactorum with little or no risk to non-target species.
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Geographical range and laboratory studies on Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Argentina, a candidate for biological control of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America
Florida Entomologist, 2014Co-Authors: Carolina Mengoni Goñalons, Stephen D Hight, Laura Varone, Guillermo A. Logarzo, Mariel Eugenia Guala, Marcela Silvina Rodriguero, James E CarpenterAbstract:The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a pest that threatens native Opuntia spp. in North America. Control tactics developed and implemented against this invasive pest successfully eradicated the moth in Mexico and on barrier islands in the United States. However, with the cancellation of the regional management program in the United States, no control tactics are being implemented to mitigate the expansion of the moth's geographical range. Hence, an integrated approach including biological control is proposed to regulate the population of C. cactorum in North America. Field surveys of the recently described parasitoid, Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta, were carried out within the C. cactorum native range in Argentina, and laboratory studies were conducted to develop a parasitoid rearing protocol. Apanteles opuntiarum was the most common parasitoid of C. cactorum and their field distributions were similar. In the laboratory, the parasitoid's reproductive success was maximized when one or two female wasps were exposed to 30 host larvae within a 500 ml container. Laboratory reared females were less successful at parasitizing hosts than field collected females. In spite of the success achieved with laboratory rearing, male bias was observed throughout the experiments. Because this bias might be related to the presence of the reproductive parasite Wolbachia, both laboratory colony and field collected individuals were screened and Wolbachia was detected. This study provides useful field and laboratory information on (1) laboratory rearing techniques for A. opuntiarum; (2) developing host specificity test protocols for studies under quarantine conditions; and (3) selecting parasitoid populations that best match the climatic conditions present in the C. cactorum invaded areas of North America.
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dna barcoding and morphological identification of argentine species of Apanteles hymenoptera braconidae parasitoids of cactus feeding moths lepidoptera pyralidae phycitinae with description of a new species
Invertebrate Systematics, 2012Co-Authors: Juan Martinez, Laura Varone, Guillermo A. Logarzo, Carolina Berta, Paula Zamudio, Alejandro Zaldivarriveron, Gabriela R AguilarvelascoAbstract:The gregarious species of Apanteles that attack cactus-feeding phycitine moths (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae) from Argentina are identified using DNA barcodes and morphological data. Sequences of specimens from 10 different populations were generated. Corrected genetic divergences showed two clusters of specimens separated by COI divergences higher than 6%. Our morphological examinations were congruent with the molecular evidence and therefore two species were confidently identified: Apanteles alexanderi Brethes and a new species, Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta, sp. nov., which we describe and illustrate. Despite these two taxa being considered to represent a single polyphagous species for at least 50 years, they can be easily distinguished by the length of their ovipositor sheaths. A key to the species of microgastrine parasitoids of cactus-feeding Lepidoptera in South America is provided. The recognition of the new species reveals a narrower host range for the species involved in this system, making it necessary to re-evaluate their potential as biocontrol agents of the prickly pear moth.
Stephen D Hight - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Ecological Niche Modeling to Calculate Ideal Sites to Introduce a Natural Enemy: The Case of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to Control Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America.
Insects, 2020Co-Authors: Nidia Bélgica Pérez-de La O, Stephen D Hight, Saúl Espinosa-zaragoza, Víctor López-martínez, Laura VaroneAbstract:The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is an invasive species in North America where it threatens Opuntia native populations. The insect is expanding its distribution along the United States Gulf Coast. In the search for alternative strategies to reduce its impact, the introduction of a natural enemy, Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez and Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), is being pursued as a biological control option. To identify promising areas to intentionally introduce A. opuntiarum for the control of C. cactorum, we estimated the overlap of fundamental ecological niches of the two species to predict their common geographic distributions using the BAM diagram. Models were based on native distributional data for both species, 19 bioclimatic variables, and the Maxent algorithm to calculate the environmental suitability of both species in North America. The environmental suitability of C. cactorum in North America was projected from Florida to Texas (United States) along the Gulf coastal areas, reaching Mexico in northern regions. Apanteles opuntiarum environmental suitability showed a substantial similarity with the calculations for C. cactorum in the United States. Intentional introductions of A. opuntiarum in the actual distribution areas of the cactus moth are predicted to be successful; A. opuntiarum will find its host in an environment conducive to its survival and dispersal.
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Molecular detection method developed to track the koinobiont larval parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) imported from Argentina to control Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Florida Entomologist, 2019Co-Authors: Mrittunjai Srivastava, Stephen D Hight, Pratibha Srivastava, Ratna Karan, Ayyamperumal Jeyaprakash, Leroy Whilby, Eric Rohrig, Amy C. Howe, Laura VaroneAbstract:Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a native natural enemy of the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum Berg (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Argentina, where the 2 species are believed to have co-evolved. Cactoblastis cactorum is an established invasive pest in the US that is rapidly spreading throughout the southeast. Apanteles opuntiarum was imported from Argentina, and reared at the Division of Plant Industry containment facility in Gainesville, Florida, for study as a possible biocontrol agent for release in the US to control C. cactorum. A DNA barcode was developed to enable the identification of the reared parasitoid population. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene of the A. opuntiarum reared in Florida containment was found to be identical to its Argentine founders, but distinctly different from the COI sequences of all other reported Apanteles species in the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) GenBank. Additionally, the AoF1 and AoR1 primer pair developed in this study specifically amplified the COI gene of A. opuntiarum, but did not amplify the COI gene of the host C. cactorum. Therefore, the COI gene fragment identified in this study has the potential to be used as a DNA barcode specific to A. opuntiarum that can aid in tracking and identifying this parasitoid inside hosts. Resumen Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) es un enemigo natural de la polilla de la tuna Cactoblastis cactorum Berg (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) en Argentina, su rango nativo, donde han co-evolucionado. Cactoblastis cactorum es una especie invasora establecida en Estados Unidos, que se esta dispersando rapidamente hacia el sudeste de este pais. Apanteles opuntiarum fue importado desde Argentina y es criado en la cuarentena de Gainesville, Florida (Division of Plant Industry), donde esta siendo evaluado como posible agente de control de C. cactorum, para ser liberado en Estados Unidos. Se desarrollo un codigo de barras de ADN para permitir la identificacion de la poblacion de parasitoides criada. Se encontro que el gen de la citocromo oxidasa mitocondrial I (COI) de los A. opuntiarum criados en Florida fue identico al de sus fundadores argentinos, y claramente diferente de las secuencias de COI de todas las demas especies de Apanteles reportados en el GenBank del NCBI (Centro Nacional de informacion sobre biotecnologia). Ademas, el par “primer” AoF1 y AoR1 desarrollado en este estudio amplifico especificamente el gen COI de A. opuntiarum, y no amplifico el gen de la COI del hospedador C. cactorum. Por lo tanto, el fragmento del gen COI identificado en este estudio tiene el potencial para ser utilizados como un codigo de barras de ADN especifico para A. opuntiarum que puede ayudar en el seguimiento y la identificacion de este parasitoide dentro de los hospedadores. Key Words: biological control; host range tests; Opuntia; parasitoids; COI gene; DNA barcode View this article in BioOne https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0207
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Field Host Range of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Argentina, a Potential Biocontrol Agent of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America
Florida Entomologist, 2015Co-Authors: Laura Varone, James E Carpenter, Guillermo A. Logarzo, Juan José Martínez, Fernando Navarro, Stephen D HightAbstract:Summary Field exploration in Argentina for cactophagous lepidopteran hosts parasitized by the recently described braconid parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) revealed a host range restricted to Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and C. doddi. Field collections of cactophagous larvae parasitized by the congeneric and sympatric parasitoid A. alexanderi included the host species C. bucyrus, Sigelgaita nr. chilensis, Tucumania sp., Tucumania tapiacola and Salambona sp. If a narrow host range for A. opuntiarum is confirmed in quarantine with North American cactus-feeding species, then this parasitoid could be released as a biological control agent for C. cactorum with little or no risk to non-target species.
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Geographical range and laboratory studies on Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Argentina, a candidate for biological control of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America
Florida Entomologist, 2014Co-Authors: Carolina Mengoni Goñalons, Stephen D Hight, Laura Varone, Guillermo A. Logarzo, Mariel Eugenia Guala, Marcela Silvina Rodriguero, James E CarpenterAbstract:The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a pest that threatens native Opuntia spp. in North America. Control tactics developed and implemented against this invasive pest successfully eradicated the moth in Mexico and on barrier islands in the United States. However, with the cancellation of the regional management program in the United States, no control tactics are being implemented to mitigate the expansion of the moth's geographical range. Hence, an integrated approach including biological control is proposed to regulate the population of C. cactorum in North America. Field surveys of the recently described parasitoid, Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta, were carried out within the C. cactorum native range in Argentina, and laboratory studies were conducted to develop a parasitoid rearing protocol. Apanteles opuntiarum was the most common parasitoid of C. cactorum and their field distributions were similar. In the laboratory, the parasitoid's reproductive success was maximized when one or two female wasps were exposed to 30 host larvae within a 500 ml container. Laboratory reared females were less successful at parasitizing hosts than field collected females. In spite of the success achieved with laboratory rearing, male bias was observed throughout the experiments. Because this bias might be related to the presence of the reproductive parasite Wolbachia, both laboratory colony and field collected individuals were screened and Wolbachia was detected. This study provides useful field and laboratory information on (1) laboratory rearing techniques for A. opuntiarum; (2) developing host specificity test protocols for studies under quarantine conditions; and (3) selecting parasitoid populations that best match the climatic conditions present in the C. cactorum invaded areas of North America.
Xuexin Chen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the lacteus laspeyresiella and mycetophilus groups of Apanteles foerster 1862 hymenoptera braconidae microgastrinae in china with descriptions of eight new species
Zootaxa, 2015Co-Authors: Zhen Liu, Xuexin ChenAbstract:The lacteus-, mycetophilus - and laspeyresiella- groups of the genus Apanteles Foerster (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) are newly recorded from China with eight new species being described, namely A . basicavus Liu & Chen, sp. n. of the lacteus- group; A . brevivena Liu & Chen, sp. n. and A . parapholetesor Liu & Chen, sp. n. of the mycetophilus -group; A . artustigma Liu & Chen, sp. n., A . hainanensis Liu & Chen, sp. n., A . magnioculus Liu & Chen, sp. n, A. sparsus Liu & Chen, sp. n. and A . thoracartus Liu & Chen, sp. n. of mycetophilus -group. Two newly recorded species of the mycetophilus -group are described and illustrated. Keys to the Chinese species of those groups are provided.
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the grandiculus and metacarpalis group of the genus Apanteles foerster 1862 hymenoptera braconidae microgastrinae from china with descriptions of eight new species
Zootaxa, 2014Co-Authors: Zhen Liu, Xuexin ChenAbstract:Two species groups (the grandiculus- and the metacarpalis-group) of genus Apanteles Foerster (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from China are revised and keyed, with eight new species, namely, A. muticiculus Liu & Chen, sp. n., A. parvus Liu & Chen, sp. n. and A. flavicapus Liu & Chen, sp. n. of the grandiculus-group; A. transtergum Liu & Chen, sp. n., A. malleus Liu & Chen, sp. n., A. dumosus Liu & Chen, sp. n. A. cosmopterygivorus Liu & Chen, sp. n. and A. incurvus Liu & Chen, sp. n. of the metacarpalis-group, and two newly recorded species of the metacarpalis-group described and illustrated. Keys to the Chinese species of these two species-groups are provided.
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the subgenus choeras mason 1981 of genus Apanteles foerster 1862 hymenoptera braconidae microgastrinae from china with descriptions of eighteen new species
Zootaxa, 2014Co-Authors: Shengnan Song, Xuexin ChenAbstract:The subgenus Choeras Mason, 1981 of genus Apanteles Foerster, 1862 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from China is revised with 18 new species described and illustrated, and one known species redescribed. A key to the Chinese species of this subgenus is provided.
Guillermo A. Logarzo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Field Host Range of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Argentina, a Potential Biocontrol Agent of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America
Florida Entomologist, 2015Co-Authors: Laura Varone, James E Carpenter, Guillermo A. Logarzo, Juan José Martínez, Fernando Navarro, Stephen D HightAbstract:Summary Field exploration in Argentina for cactophagous lepidopteran hosts parasitized by the recently described braconid parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) revealed a host range restricted to Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and C. doddi. Field collections of cactophagous larvae parasitized by the congeneric and sympatric parasitoid A. alexanderi included the host species C. bucyrus, Sigelgaita nr. chilensis, Tucumania sp., Tucumania tapiacola and Salambona sp. If a narrow host range for A. opuntiarum is confirmed in quarantine with North American cactus-feeding species, then this parasitoid could be released as a biological control agent for C. cactorum with little or no risk to non-target species.
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Geographical range and laboratory studies on Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Argentina, a candidate for biological control of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America
Florida Entomologist, 2014Co-Authors: Carolina Mengoni Goñalons, Stephen D Hight, Laura Varone, Guillermo A. Logarzo, Mariel Eugenia Guala, Marcela Silvina Rodriguero, James E CarpenterAbstract:The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a pest that threatens native Opuntia spp. in North America. Control tactics developed and implemented against this invasive pest successfully eradicated the moth in Mexico and on barrier islands in the United States. However, with the cancellation of the regional management program in the United States, no control tactics are being implemented to mitigate the expansion of the moth's geographical range. Hence, an integrated approach including biological control is proposed to regulate the population of C. cactorum in North America. Field surveys of the recently described parasitoid, Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta, were carried out within the C. cactorum native range in Argentina, and laboratory studies were conducted to develop a parasitoid rearing protocol. Apanteles opuntiarum was the most common parasitoid of C. cactorum and their field distributions were similar. In the laboratory, the parasitoid's reproductive success was maximized when one or two female wasps were exposed to 30 host larvae within a 500 ml container. Laboratory reared females were less successful at parasitizing hosts than field collected females. In spite of the success achieved with laboratory rearing, male bias was observed throughout the experiments. Because this bias might be related to the presence of the reproductive parasite Wolbachia, both laboratory colony and field collected individuals were screened and Wolbachia was detected. This study provides useful field and laboratory information on (1) laboratory rearing techniques for A. opuntiarum; (2) developing host specificity test protocols for studies under quarantine conditions; and (3) selecting parasitoid populations that best match the climatic conditions present in the C. cactorum invaded areas of North America.
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dna barcoding and morphological identification of argentine species of Apanteles hymenoptera braconidae parasitoids of cactus feeding moths lepidoptera pyralidae phycitinae with description of a new species
Invertebrate Systematics, 2012Co-Authors: Juan Martinez, Laura Varone, Guillermo A. Logarzo, Carolina Berta, Paula Zamudio, Alejandro Zaldivarriveron, Gabriela R AguilarvelascoAbstract:The gregarious species of Apanteles that attack cactus-feeding phycitine moths (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae) from Argentina are identified using DNA barcodes and morphological data. Sequences of specimens from 10 different populations were generated. Corrected genetic divergences showed two clusters of specimens separated by COI divergences higher than 6%. Our morphological examinations were congruent with the molecular evidence and therefore two species were confidently identified: Apanteles alexanderi Brethes and a new species, Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta, sp. nov., which we describe and illustrate. Despite these two taxa being considered to represent a single polyphagous species for at least 50 years, they can be easily distinguished by the length of their ovipositor sheaths. A key to the species of microgastrine parasitoids of cactus-feeding Lepidoptera in South America is provided. The recognition of the new species reveals a narrower host range for the species involved in this system, making it necessary to re-evaluate their potential as biocontrol agents of the prickly pear moth.
Nidia Bélgica Pérez-de La O - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Ecological Niche Modeling to Calculate Ideal Sites to Introduce a Natural Enemy: The Case of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to Control Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America.
Insects, 2020Co-Authors: Nidia Bélgica Pérez-de La O, Stephen D Hight, Saúl Espinosa-zaragoza, Víctor López-martínez, Laura VaroneAbstract:The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is an invasive species in North America where it threatens Opuntia native populations. The insect is expanding its distribution along the United States Gulf Coast. In the search for alternative strategies to reduce its impact, the introduction of a natural enemy, Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez and Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), is being pursued as a biological control option. To identify promising areas to intentionally introduce A. opuntiarum for the control of C. cactorum, we estimated the overlap of fundamental ecological niches of the two species to predict their common geographic distributions using the BAM diagram. Models were based on native distributional data for both species, 19 bioclimatic variables, and the Maxent algorithm to calculate the environmental suitability of both species in North America. The environmental suitability of C. cactorum in North America was projected from Florida to Texas (United States) along the Gulf coastal areas, reaching Mexico in northern regions. Apanteles opuntiarum environmental suitability showed a substantial similarity with the calculations for C. cactorum in the United States. Intentional introductions of A. opuntiarum in the actual distribution areas of the cactus moth are predicted to be successful; A. opuntiarum will find its host in an environment conducive to its survival and dispersal.