Host specificity of larval parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez & Bertha (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a potential biological control agent against Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), commonly referred as the argentine cactus moth, is a serious pest of native and non-native Opuntia cacti.  Since its discovery in South Florida, the invasive moth has spread along the Atlantic and the Gulf coasts.  In order to seek a long term control strategy, non-native natural enemies from Argentina have been discovered.  In this study host range of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval parasitoid of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was assessed.  Native cactus moths from the southeastern and southwestern states were collected, reared and exposed to female parasitoids. This paper discusses preliminary results on host specificity of A. opuntiarum.