Cactobrosis fernaldialis
| Cactobrosis fernaldialis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Pyralidae |
| Genus: | Cactobrosis |
| Species: | C. fernaldialis
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| Binomial name | |
| Cactobrosis fernaldialis | |
| Synonyms | |
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Cactobrosis fernaldialis, the blue cactus borer, is a species of snout moth in the genus Cactobrosis. It was described by George Duryea Hulst in 1886, and is found from Texas to southern California, where it inhabits deserts.
The wingspan is 36–47 mm for males and 34–50 mm for females.[2] The forewings are narrow and gray, usually with a black streak in males that is lacking in females. Both sexes have a whitish antemedial fascia bordered by dark gray distally, and sometimes the whole basal area is black.[3] Adults are on wing from late March to April and again from July to November.
The larvae feed on Ferocactus wislizeni. They feed in the base of the flower buds and also tunnel into the plant providing an open wound which may lead to bacterial infection and necrosis of the host plant.[4]
References
- ^ "800587.00 – 5989 – Cactobrosis fernaldialis – (Hulst, 1886)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "The cactus-feeding Phycitinae: A contribution toward a revision of the American pyralidoid moths of the family Phycitidae" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
- ^ Eiseman, Charley (December 6, 2014). "Species Cactobrosis fernaldialis - Blue Cactus Borer - Hodges#5989". BugGuide. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "Bacterial Necrosis of Saguaro Cacti" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-13. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
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