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James E Carpenter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Larval pheromone disrupts pre-excavation aggregation of Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) neonates precipitating colony collapse
Florida Entomologist, 2019Co-Authors: T. D. Fitzgerald, James E Carpenter, Stephen D HightAbstract:Newly eclosed larvae of Cactoblastis Cactorum Berg (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) contain their activity to an arena formed at the base of their eggstick, marked with a mandibular gland pheromone. Laboratory and field studies were undertaken to determine if these pre-excavation aggregations, essential to their successful penetration of the host plant, could be disrupted with mandibular gland extract causing the incipient colonies to perish. Cladodes or whole plants were sprayed with the pheromone, obtained by extracting macerated caterpillars in hexane, hexane only, or left unsprayed, and the survivorship of caterpillars that eclosed from eggsticks attached to the cladodes recorded at a later date. In 4 separate experiments, the average survivorship of C. Cactorum larvae from cohorts on cladodes sprayed with the extract (15%) differed markedly from survivorship of caterpillar cohorts on cladodes treated with the solvent only (84%) or left untreated (80%). This differential mortality was attributed to the elicitation of the independent dispersal of the caterpillars by the mandibular gland pheromone and their failure to reaggregate in numbers sufficient to mount a successful attack on the host plant. The potential for managing pest populations of caterpillars employing this target-specific alternative to conventional pesticides is discussed.
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Performance improvement through quality evaluations of sterile cactus moths, Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), mass-reared at two insectaries
Florida Entomologist, 2016Co-Authors: Stephen D Hight, James E CarpenterAbstract:Abstract A bi-national program was established by Mexico and the United States to mitigate the threat of the cactus moth, Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)—an invasive herbivore from South America—to native Opuntia spp. (Caryophyllales: Cactaceae) biodiversity and Opuntia-based industries. Mass-rearing, sterilization, and transport and release technologies assisted with the development of several control tactics including the sterile insect technique. Following the successful eradication of C. Cactorum from Mexico and the elimination of C. Cactorum from Alabama barrier islands, the bi-national program established an additional mass-rearing insectary for the production of sterile moths. Laboratory and field bioassays were conducted on sterile moths from both insectaries. Bioassays and assessments included moth mass, moth longevity, percentage of female moths mated at time of collection from the insectary, percentage of female moths mated 24 h after collection, flight ability, percentage...
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Anoxia-conditioning hormesis alters the relationship between irradiation doses for survival and sterility in the cactus moth, Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Florida Entomologist, 2016Co-Authors: Giancarlo Lopez-martinez, James E Carpenter, Stephen D Hight, Daniel A. HahnAbstract:Abstract One of the most important components of a program that has a sterile insect technique (SIT) component is an appropriate irradiation dose. Knowing the organismal dose-response enables the selection of a dose that induces the highest level of sterility while preserving the sexual competitiveness and other desired qualities of the sterile insect. Finding this balance in Lepidoptera is crucial because of the use of inherited (F1) sterility, where the irradiated parent must be competitive enough to mate while its offspring must be sterile. Manipulations of atmospheric oxygen content have been shown to be an effective way of lowering post-irradiation somatic damage while preserving sterility and improving sterile insect performance, particularly in fruit flies. In this study we tested the irradiation dose response of adults of the cactus moth, Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and the effects of those doses on sterility, longevity, and F1 performance, and whether a nitrogen conditi...
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the presence of the cactus moth Cactoblastis Cactorum lepidoptera pyralidae
2016Co-Authors: Stephanie Bloem, James E Carpenter, Stephen D Hight, Kenneth A BloemAbstract:Various trap specifications were evaluated to identify the most effective trap for capturing wild male Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg). All traps were baited with virgin female C. Cactorum and, except for the first comparison of trap type, a standard wing trap was used in all experiments. Although wing traps captured more males than did the other trap types (delta or bucket), the differences were not significant. However, significantly higher numbers of males were captured in wing traps placed 2 m above ground than traps at 1 m or 0.5 m, and wing traps baited with four virgin females caught significantly more males than wing traps baited with a single female. Differences in number of males captured by young and old females were not significant, but more than twice as many males were captured in traps baited with one-day-old females than traps baited with four day old females. In addition, there were no significant differences in number of males caught in unpainted, white, wing traps and wing traps painted one of eight different colors (flat white, black, dark green, fluorescent green, yellow, fluorescent yellow, orange, or blue), although, more males were captured in the unpainted wing traps. The results presented here suggest that the best trap currently available to monitor C. Cactorum is a standard (unpainted) wing trap, placed at a height of 2.0 m aboveground, and baited with four newly emerged females.
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Trail following response of larval Cactoblastis Cactorum to 2-acyl-1,3-cyclohexanediones.
Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2015Co-Authors: T. D. Fitzgerald, Michael Kelly, Tyler J. Potter, James E Carpenter, Frank RossiAbstract:Caterpillars of Cactoblastis Cactorum secrete onto the surface of host cactuses droplets of an oily fluid that issues from the orifices of their paired mandibular glands. The fluid contains a series of 2-acyl-1,3-cyclohexanediones that, collectively, have been shown to elicit trail-following behavior from the caterpillars. This study reports the results of bioassays to determine the ability of two specific compounds, previously shown to be prominent components of the mandibular glands of pyralid caterpillars, 4-hydroxy-2-oleoyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione and 2-oleoyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione, to elicit trail-following behavior from the larvae of C. Cactorum. Additionally bioassayed were structural fragments of these molecules. The relative effectiveness of the chemicals in eliciting trail following, the effect of varying concentration on the trail-following response, the importance of specific functional groups to the trail-following response, and the threshold sensitivity of the caterpillar to the pheromone were determined. The study showed that while all the tested compounds elicited some degree of trail following, they differed significantly in their effectiveness. The most effective of the compounds was 4-hydroxy-2-oleoyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione, which, on a per unit volume basis, was as effective as whole gland extract. Caterpillars secreted large quantities of fluid from the glands, and the threshold response to 4-hydroxy-2-oleoyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione occurred at a relative high application rate compared to trail pheromones of other social caterpillars and eusocial insects. This and the observation that the trail marker is secreted from the mandibular glands suggests that the use of 2-acyl-1,3-cyclohexanediones as trail markers is secondary, and that these compounds function primarily in some other, as yet undetermined, context.
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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Larval pheromone disrupts pre-excavation aggregation of Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) neonates precipitating colony collapse
Florida Entomologist, 2019Co-Authors: T. D. Fitzgerald, James E Carpenter, Stephen D HightAbstract:Newly eclosed larvae of Cactoblastis Cactorum Berg (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) contain their activity to an arena formed at the base of their eggstick, marked with a mandibular gland pheromone. Laboratory and field studies were undertaken to determine if these pre-excavation aggregations, essential to their successful penetration of the host plant, could be disrupted with mandibular gland extract causing the incipient colonies to perish. Cladodes or whole plants were sprayed with the pheromone, obtained by extracting macerated caterpillars in hexane, hexane only, or left unsprayed, and the survivorship of caterpillars that eclosed from eggsticks attached to the cladodes recorded at a later date. In 4 separate experiments, the average survivorship of C. Cactorum larvae from cohorts on cladodes sprayed with the extract (15%) differed markedly from survivorship of caterpillar cohorts on cladodes treated with the solvent only (84%) or left untreated (80%). This differential mortality was attributed to the elicitation of the independent dispersal of the caterpillars by the mandibular gland pheromone and their failure to reaggregate in numbers sufficient to mount a successful attack on the host plant. The potential for managing pest populations of caterpillars employing this target-specific alternative to conventional pesticides is discussed.
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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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Causes of mortality at different stages of Cactoblastis Cactorum in the native range
BioControl, 2019Co-Authors: Laura Varone, Stephen D Hight, María B. Aguirre, Enrique Lobos, Darío Ruiz Pérez, Florencia Palottini, Mariel Guala, Guillermo A. LogarzoAbstract:Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is native to South America and has been used successfully as a biocontrol agent against invasive species of Opuntia (Cactaceae). After its release in the Caribbean, it entered North America, dispersed to southeastern USA, and may reach Mexico threatening native cacti biodiversity and industry based on Opuntia spp. Identifying mortality factors acting on insect populations is central to develop pest management programs. The objective of this study was to estimate mortality causes of C. Cactorum in its native range through life table experiments conducted on the exotic O. ficus - indica (L.) Miller and the native species O. quimilo K. Schum. and O. megapotamica Arechav., to detect vulnerable stages and natural enemies. The main mortality factors were generalist predators and native plant defenses. Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was found to be the parasitoid with the highest potential as a biocontrol agent.
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Laboratory rearing and sex ratio of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a potential biocontrol agent of Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Florida Entomologist, 2019Co-Authors: Jessica Awad, Stephen D Hight, Mrittunjai Srivastava, Amy C. Howe, Amanda Hodges, Eric RohrigAbstract:The cactus moth, Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is an invasive species in North America, where it poses a threat to species of Opuntia Mill. of economic and ecological importance. The parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum Martinez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is currently under evaluation as a potential biological control agent. This study was conducted to develop a parasitoid rearing protocol, with special attention to laboratory sex ratio and the effects of inbreeding. The parasitoid rearing method used a natural cactus host diet for culture of the moths. Female wasps were mated with siblings, non-siblings, or a combination. Clutch size, clutch number, and offspring sex ratios were recorded. The effects of sibling mating on these factors were analyzed. Offspring of sibling-mated parasitoids exhibited a significant increase in female sex ratio. The rearing method produced 6 successive generations in captivity with no additional introductions of genetic material. Hence, the protocol appears suitable for long-term maintenance of quarantine colonies. The effects of inbreeding suggest that natural populations of A. opuntiarum are subject to local mate competition. Therefore, some amount of inbreeding is recommended for maintenance of an optimal sex ratio of A. opuntiarum in laboratory colonies.
Stephanie Bloem - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the presence of the cactus moth Cactoblastis Cactorum lepidoptera pyralidae
2016Co-Authors: Stephanie Bloem, James E Carpenter, Stephen D Hight, Kenneth A BloemAbstract:Various trap specifications were evaluated to identify the most effective trap for capturing wild male Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg). All traps were baited with virgin female C. Cactorum and, except for the first comparison of trap type, a standard wing trap was used in all experiments. Although wing traps captured more males than did the other trap types (delta or bucket), the differences were not significant. However, significantly higher numbers of males were captured in wing traps placed 2 m above ground than traps at 1 m or 0.5 m, and wing traps baited with four virgin females caught significantly more males than wing traps baited with a single female. Differences in number of males captured by young and old females were not significant, but more than twice as many males were captured in traps baited with one-day-old females than traps baited with four day old females. In addition, there were no significant differences in number of males caught in unpainted, white, wing traps and wing traps painted one of eight different colors (flat white, black, dark green, fluorescent green, yellow, fluorescent yellow, orange, or blue), although, more males were captured in the unpainted wing traps. The results presented here suggest that the best trap currently available to monitor C. Cactorum is a standard (unpainted) wing trap, placed at a height of 2.0 m aboveground, and baited with four newly emerged females.
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Host Specificity and Risk Assessment of Trichogramma fuentesi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), a Potential Biological Agent of Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Florida Entomologist, 2013Co-Authors: Oulimathe Paraiso, Stephen D Hight, Moses T. K. Kairo, Stephanie BloemAbstract:Abstract Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a non-native moth attacking prickly pear cactus, Opuntia spp., in southeastern U.S. The insect is also an important threat to ecological systems and to native and endangered Opuntia spp. in southwestern USA. The egg parasitoid Trichogramma fuentesi Torre (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) was discovered attacking wild C. Cactorum in Florida. To evaluate the potential effect of inundative releases of T. fuentesi against C. Cactorum, the host searching behavior of T. fuentesi on C. Cactorum eggs and host suitability of selected lepidopteran eggs were studied in the laboratory. Host suitability was studied on the native blue cactus moth, Melitara prodenialis Walker, and 6 selected species of butterfly eggs [Danaus plexippus (L.), Dryas iulia (Hubner), Junonia coenia (Hubner), Papilio glaucus (L.), Papilio polyxenes (F.), and Vanessa cardui (L.)] to assess the potential for non-target effects from T. fuentesi. The proportion of parasitism of the ...
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Notes on the Ovipositional Behavior of Trichogramma fuentesi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), an Egg Parasitoid of Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Florida Entomologist, 2013Co-Authors: Oulimathe Paraiso, Stephen D Hight, Moses T. K. Kairo, Stephanie BloemAbstract:Our study characterized host searching and oviposition ability of T. fuentesi . In general, female wasps walked to a C. Cactorum egg, drummed over the surface, drilled into the chorion, and deposited an egg. Grooming and resting behaviors were observed infrequently and host feeding was never recorded. In a typical observation period of 60 min with eggs of the exotic C. Cactorum , female parasitoids spent 16% of their time drumming, 4% drilling, and 8% egg laying into the selected host. Most of the oviposition behaviors happened in the first hour. Nuestro estudio caracterizo la busqueda de hospedero y la capacidad de oviposicion de Trichogramma fuentesi . En general, las avispas hembras caminaron hacia los huevos de Cactoblastis Cactorum, pegaron sus antenas sobre la superficie de los huevos como un tambor (en tamboreo), perforaron el corion y depositaron su huevo adentro. Los comportamientos de aseo y de descanso fueron observados con poca frecuencia y la alimentacion sobre el hospedero no fue registrada. En un periodo de observacion tipica de 60 min con los huevos de la especie exotica C. Cactorum , los parasitoides hembras pasaron el 16% de su tiempo en tamboreo, el 4% perforando y el 8% poniendo huevos dentro de los hospederos seleccionados. La mayoria del comportamiento de oviposicion ocurrio en la primera hora. View this article in BioOne
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Laboratory Biological Parameters of Trichogramma fuentesi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), an Egg Parasitoid of Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Florida Entomologist, 2012Co-Authors: Oulimathe Paraiso, Stephanie Bloem, James E Carpenter, Stephen D Hight, Moses T. K. Kairo, Stuart R. ReitzAbstract:ABSTRACT Trichogramma fuentesi Torre was identified attacking Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg), a serious pest of Opuntia spp. in North America, raising the possibility of using this egg parasitoid as an inundative biological control agent. Studies were conducted to assess the biological parameters of this parasitoid under laboratory conditions. Nutritive quality influence of the rearing supplement on the parasitoid's longevity, mating, and age was evaluated based on the level of parasitism. The presence and type of food source had a positive impact on female longevity, and female parasitoids given a diet composed of pure honey lived the longest; an average of 11 d. Mated females parasitized a greater number of C. Cactorum host eggs than did unmated females. Percent parasitism significantly decreased with female age. Two- to 3-day old female parasitoids had the highest level of parasitism. Two-day old host eggs were the optimal host egg age for parasitization by T. fuentesi. In the context of implementing an ...
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Egg Parasitoids Attacking Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North Florida
Florida Entomologist, 2011Co-Authors: Oulimathe Paraiso, Stephen D Hight, Moses T. K. Kairo, Stephanie BloemAbstract:ABSTRACT Interest in the natural enemies of Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg) has increased since the moth was found in Florida in 1989. Previous surveys for natural enemies in Argentina identified egg parasitoids in the family Trichogrammatidae as potentially important control agents of C. Cactorum. A study was conducted in north Florida to identify and to assess occurrence of egg parasitoids attacking this invasive moth in its new homeland. Surveys undertaken at 6 locations in north Florida from Jul 2008 to Dec 2009 revealed that eggsticks of C. Cactorum were attacked by egg parasitoids from the Trichogramma genus: T. pretiosum Riley, T. fuentesi Torre, and an additional unidentified Trichogramma species belonging to the T. pretiosum group. In order to assess the importance of these egg parasitoids, the fate of individual C. Cactorum eggsticks was determined during weekly visits to each site. This assessment showed that the combined level of parasitism of C. Cactorum eggsticks was very low with less than 0.2...
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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Causes of mortality at different stages of Cactoblastis Cactorum in the native range
BioControl, 2019Co-Authors: Laura Varone, Stephen D Hight, María B. Aguirre, Enrique Lobos, Darío Ruiz Pérez, Florencia Palottini, Mariel Guala, Guillermo A. LogarzoAbstract:Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is native to South America and has been used successfully as a biocontrol agent against invasive species of Opuntia (Cactaceae). After its release in the Caribbean, it entered North America, dispersed to southeastern USA, and may reach Mexico threatening native cacti biodiversity and industry based on Opuntia spp. Identifying mortality factors acting on insect populations is central to develop pest management programs. The objective of this study was to estimate mortality causes of C. Cactorum in its native range through life table experiments conducted on the exotic O. ficus - indica (L.) Miller and the native species O. quimilo K. Schum. and O. megapotamica Arechav., to detect vulnerable stages and natural enemies. The main mortality factors were generalist predators and native plant defenses. Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was found to be the parasitoid with the highest potential as a biocontrol agent.
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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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Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) use of Opuntia host species in Argentina
Biological Invasions, 2014Co-Authors: Laura Varone, Stephen D Hight, Guillermo A. Logarzo, Juan A. Briano, James E CarpenterAbstract:A central aspect in biology and ecology is to determine the combination of factors that influence the distribution of species. In the case of herbivorous insects, the distribution of herbivorous species is necessarily associated with their host plants, a pattern often referred to as “host use”. Novel interactions that arise during a biological invasion can have important effects on the dynamics of that invasion, especially if it is driven by only a subset of the genetic diversity of the invading species. This is the case of the wellknown South American cactus moth, Cactoblastis Cactorum , a successfully used biological control agent of non-native Opuntia cacti in Australia and South Africa, but now threatening unique cactus diversity and agriculture in North America. We studied the patterns of host plant usage by and host plant availability for C. Cactorum under field conditions in Argentina, covering the geographical range of the four C. Cactorum phylogroups and the recently documented southern distribution. We also assessed female preference and larval performance under laboratory conditions. Cactoblastis Cactorum showed a geographical pattern of host use in its native range that was related to host availability. Laboratory assays of female preference showed some degree of preference to oviposit on O. ficus-indica , O. leucotricha and O. quimilo , but it was not positively correlated with the performance of larvae. These findings contribute to the further comprehension of the host use dynamics of C. Cactorum in the insects’ native range, and could provide useful information for assessing the risk and future spread of this insect in North America.
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Effects of Cactoblastis Cactorum on the survival and growth of North American Opuntia
Biological Invasions, 2012Co-Authors: Heather Jezorek, Amanda J. Baker, Peter StilingAbstract:Cactoblastis Cactorum is known for being both a biological control agent and an invasive pest of opuntioid cacti. The spread of C. Cactorum in the southeastern United States may threaten the biological and physical integrity of desert, scrub, and coastal habitats. However, the effects of invasive species are known to vary spatially and temporally, and C. Cactorum’s efficacy as a biological control agent varies considerably from region to region. Therefore, the long term effects of C. Cactorum within its U.S. range are still uncertain. Marked Opuntia stricta (n = 253) and O. humifusa (n = 327) plants along the west coast of Florida were censused for 6 years to determine the effects of C. Cactorum attack on survival and growth rate of plants, and to examine host species differences and the effects of plant size. 78.1 % of the Opuntia plants were attacked by C. Cactorum during the 6 year study and the overall survival rate was 75.8 %. Plants attacked by C. Cactorum were more likely to die than unattacked plants and a plant’s odds of surviving the 6 year period decreased as C. Cactorum attack frequency increased. However, plants that survived the 6 year period showed, on average, positive growth and there was no significant difference in growth rates between surviving attacked and unattacked plants. O. stricta plants were more likely to be attacked at least once, were attacked more frequently, and were more likely to die after being attacked than were O. humifusa plants. Plant size did not predict plant survival, but larger surviving plants lost proportionally more pads over the 6 years than smaller surviving plants. Although C. Cactorum should still be considered a threat, particularly for rare opuntioids, overall survival along the west central Florida coast is currently high and plants that are able to survive C. Cactorum attack are not being reduced in size, possibly because they possess traits that render them more tolerant of C. Cactorum damage. Our findings suggest that an assumption of severe negative effects of an invasive species, based on its effects in other regions or over short periods of time, may not always be justified.
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Lack of Associational Effects between Two Hosts of an Invasive Herbivore: Opuntia Spp. and Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Florida Entomologist, 2012Co-Authors: Heather Jezorek, Peter StilingAbstract:ABSTRACT Associational susceptibility has been predicted to arise when a target plant's neighbor is more palatable to an herbivore than the target plant itself, resulting in attraction and spill-over of the herbivore onto the target plant. This prediction was tested on two hosts of the invasive pyralid moth Cactoblastis Cactorum Berg. A combination of observational surveys and experimental plantings were used to test for differences in herbivore damage and plant size on isolated Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. plants, O. humifusa paired with O. stricta (Haw.) Haw., and O. humifusa in conspecific pairs. Based on general patterns of associational effects and specific C. Cactorum behavior, it was predicted that O. humifusa would have higher levels of C. Cactorum damage when growing near O. stricta, as compared with isolated plants or those growing near conspecifics. However, little support for associational resistance or susceptibility was found. Surveys revealed that isolated O. humifusa plants had on average ...
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Targets of an Invasive Species: Oviposition Preference and Larval Performance of Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on 14 North American Opuntioid Cacti
Environmental entomology, 2010Co-Authors: Heather Jezorek, Peter Stiling, James E CarpenterAbstract:Cactoblastis Cactorum Berg (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the cactus moth, is a well-known biological control agent of prickly pear cactus (Cactaceae: Opuntia Miller). The arrival of the moth in Florida and its subsequent spread through the southeastern United States poses a threat to opuntioid diversity in North America. Of particular concern are the ecological and economic impacts the moth could have in the southwestern United States and Mexico, where both native and cultivated Opuntia species are important resources. It is unknown which species would best support larval development if the moth were to spread further westward in North America. This study aimed to determine if ovipositing females demonstrate preferences for any of 14 common opuntioids native to or naturalized in Mexico and the southwestern United States; which of these opuntioids best support larval development; and if oviposition preference correlates with larval performance, as predicted by simple adaptive models. Results from a field experiment showed that female moths preferred O. engelmannii Salm-Dyck ex Engelmann variety linguiformis (Griffiths) Parfitt and Pinkava and O. engelmannii variety engelmannii for oviposition. A generalized linear model showed number of cladodes and degree of spininess to be significant predictors of oviposition activity. Results from a no-choice larval survival experiment showed Consolea rubescens (Salm-Dyck ex de Candolle.) Lemaire and O. streptacantha Lemaire to be the best hosts. Epidermal toughness was a significant predictor of most larval fitness parameters. In general, oviposition preference was not correlated with larval performance. A lack of co-evolutionary history between C. Cactorum and North American opuntioid species may help explain this disconnect.
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Comparing the effects of the exotic cactus-feeding moth, Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the native cactus-feeding moth, Melitara prodenialis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on two species of Florida Opuntia
Biological Invasions, 2008Co-Authors: Amanda J. Baker, Peter StilingAbstract:This study examined the effects of the native cactus moth borer, Melitara prodenialis, and the invasive cactus moth borer, Cactoblastis Cactorum, on two common cactus species, Opuntia stricta and O. humifusa at coastal and inland locations in central Florida. Opuntia stricta were present only at coastal sites and O. humifusa were present at coastal and inland sites. Throughout the duration of the study, coastal plants were subject to damage solely by C. Cactorum and inland plants solely by M. prodenialis. Results showed marginally significantly higher numbers of eggsticks on O. stricta than O. humifusa and significantly higher numbers at coastal sites than at inland sites. There was also significantly higher moth damage on O. stricta than O. humifusa and at coastal sites than inland sites, but not significantly so. However, there was a higher level of plant mortality for O. humifusa than for O. stricta and a significantly higher level of cactus mortality at inland sites when compared to coastal sites. This increased mortality may be due to increased attack by true bugs, Chelinidea vittiger, and by Dactylopius sp., combined with attack by M. prodenialis. Inland plants also tended to be smaller than coastal plants and could be more susceptible to the combined effects of all insects. Further long-term research on coastal cactus survival when attacked and unattacked by Cactoblastis is necessary to fully determine the effects of this moth on Opuntia survival.
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endangered cactus restoration mitigating the non target effects of a biological control agent Cactoblastis Cactorum in florida
Restoration Ecology, 2004Co-Authors: Peter Stiling, Daniel C. Moon, Doria R. GordonAbstract:The moth Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg), the poster child of weed biological control in Australia, has recently invaded the United States and threatens native cacti. Concern is greatest for the endangered semaphore cactus, Opuntia corallicola, of which only two known populations exist in the wild. We made three separate outplantings of O. corallicola, designed to bolster the number of extant cacti and to test the effectiveness of three different treatments to protect the cacti from Cactoblastis. In one outplanting, we tested the associational susceptibility hypothesis and found that cacti planted more than 20 m away from the common prickly pear cactus, Opuntia stricta, which act as a reservoir of Cactoblastis, were just as frequently attacked and killed by Cactoblastis as cacti planted within 5 m. In addition, Cactoblastis attack was greater in the shade than in the sun. In the second outplanting, we minimized the attack from Cactoblastis by using protective cages planted at least 500 m from O. stricta in areas not inhabited by cacti. Cages attracted the attention of local animals, which destroyed the cages and trampled the cacti inside to death. Crown rot caused high mortality in this outplanting. In the third outplanting, again conducted at least 500 m away from O. stricta, fertilization did not reduce crown rot mortality. We suggest that increasing populations of O. corallicola in Florida, by means of outplantings, will remain a challenge because of death from Cactoblastis when planted in areas where cacti normally grow and because of death from crown rot in areas where they do not. Because Cactoblastis is moving rapidly northward and westward and has already reached Charleston, South Carolina, rare cacti in the rest of the U.S. Southeast may be in danger. Eventually, many cactus species in the U.S. South, Southwest, and Mexico will likely be threatened by this moth.
