Melitara dentata (Grote, 1876)
Blue Cactus Borer
(previously known as Zophodia dentata)
PHYCITINI,   PHYCITINAE,   PYRALIDAE,   PYRALOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley


(Photo: courtesy of Whitney Cranshaw , Colorado State University ,
Image Number 5422248 at Forestry Images, a source for forest health, natural resources and silviculture images
operated by The Bugwood Network at the University of Georgia and the USDA Forest Service

The Caterpillars of this species feed on

  • Prickly Pear (Opuntia stricta, etc. CACTACEAE).


    (Photo: courtesy of Whitney Cranshaw , Colorado State University ,
    Image Number 5422246 at Forestry Images, a source for forest health, natural resources and silviculture images
    operated by The Bugwood Network at the University of Georgia and the USDA Forest Service

    The moths are fawn with some variable dark markings on each forewing. The hindwings are white shading darker at the margins. The wingspan is about 3 cms.


    (Photo: courtesy of the Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph)

    The species is native to

  • U.S.A.

    The species was introduced into Australia to help control the spread of Prickly Pear.


    Further reading :

    Augustus Radcliffe Grote,
    New Pyralides II,
    The Canadian Entomologist,
    Volume 8 (1876), p. 158.


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    (updated 30 April 2003, 12 July 2023)