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Gary N. Ervin |
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Plant Ecology Lab |
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Cactoblastis cactorum, exiting a pad of O. anacantha in Chaco province, Argentina |
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Cactoblastis cactorum (South American cactus moth) |
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We have been investigating multiple aspects of the invasion and native-range ecology of the recent (1989) US invader, Cactoblastis cactorum. This is a species that has the potential to cause substantial harm to natural ecosystems of North America, particularly in the US Southwest and throughout much of Mexico. We have recently completed a broad-scale examination of the population genetics of this moth in its native range (along with similar work on a native US moth, Melitara prodenialis). That work has been guiding current efforts at understanding the underlying ecology of the North American invasion. These current projects involve further genetic analyses, habitat modeling, and studies of reproductive ecology of the moth in its native range. |
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Department of Biological Sciences PO Box GY 114 Harned Hall, 295 Lee Blvd Mississippi State, MS 39762 662-325-1203 gervin <at> biology . msstate . edu |
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Contact info |
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Related publications Marsico, T. D., L. E. Wallace, G. N. Ervin, C. P. Brooks, J. E. McClure, and M. E. Welch. 2011. Geographic patterns of genetic diversity from the native range of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) support the documented history of invasion and multiple introductions for invasive populations. Biological Invasions 13: 857-868. Sauby, K. E., T. D. Marsico, G. N. Ervin, and C. P. Brooks. In prep. Host identity and diversity affect the prevalence of the invasive moth, Cactoblastis cactorum.
Online resources South American Biological Control Laboratory Cactus Moth Detection and Monitoring Network
Collaborators Brooks, Welch, Wallace, Counterman - MSU Biology Brown - MSU Entomology Madsen - MSU GRI Marsico - Arkansas State Sauby - U Florida Carpenter and Hight - USDA ARS, US Varone and Logarzo - USDA ARS, SABCL |
