Caterpillars of the Cactoblastis moth have been effective in reducing the populations of introduced prickly pear but they haven't eradicated the pest. The road sides between Goondiwindi and Miles are infested with cactuses, both well-established and newly-growing. Neighbouring farm land is largely free of prickly pear. Not through Cactoblastis, I suspect, but in the same way that farm land is largely free of anything over half a metre tall
Sunday 22 July 2007
Prickly pear
Caterpillars of the Cactoblastis moth have been effective in reducing the populations of introduced prickly pear but they haven't eradicated the pest. The road sides between Goondiwindi and Miles are infested with cactuses, both well-established and newly-growing. Neighbouring farm land is largely free of prickly pear. Not through Cactoblastis, I suspect, but in the same way that farm land is largely free of anything over half a metre tall
