importance of Opuntia in Mexico and routes of invasion and impact of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

• Published in: The Florida entomologist 2001-12, Vol.84 (4), p.486-492
• Main Authors: Soberon, J, Golubov, J, Sarukhan, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: bioclimate; bioclimatic modeling; Biological taxonomies; Cactoblastis cactorum; Cactoblastis cactorum in North America: Proceedings of a Workshop for Assessment and Planning: 2000; Cactus; computer simulation; crop production; economic impact; Endemic species; environmental impact; food crops; Forage; forage crops; geographical distribution; Global atmospheric research program; invasion; invasive species; Mexico; Modeling; Moths; Opuntia; Plants; prediction; Pyralidae; Species; Vegetables
• ISSN: 0015-4040; 1938-5102
• DOI: 10.2307/3496376

The appearance of the cactus moth Cactoblastis cactorum in Florida has roused concern over its possible effects on the Opuntia-rich areas of Mexico and the southwestern United States. In this paper we discuss the economic importance of Opuntia in Mexico and propose a method to predict the invasion of the alien species C. cactorum. In Mexico, the products derived from Opuntia are mainly human food and fodder for livestock. Both cultivated and wild populations of Opuntia are currently used for these two purposes. By using bioclimatic modeling, we predicted the potential distribution of C. cactorum and overlaid this on the actual distribution of Opuntia species. The resulting maps indicate that the possible routes of invasion to Mexico are 1) along the northern border through Texas (most likely) and 2) via southeastern Mexico (less likely). The impacts of an invasion of C. cactorum on Opuntia products could be significant as well as being a threat to endemic species. Bioclimatic modeling can help to predict the areas of highest probability of attack and facilitate planning to mitigate future impacts. /// El uso de agentes de control biológico y sus efectos sobre especies nativas ha generado polémica. La invasión de la palomilla del nopal al continente norteamericano ha provocado preocupación acerca de la posible introducción de esta especie exótica a zonas de alta riqueza de Opuntias endémicas de México. En este trabajo hacemos énfasis en la importancia económica de los productos de Opuntia en México y proponemos un método que predice la invasión de C. cactorum. Usamos modelos bioclimáticos para generar las distribuciones potenciales de C. cactorum y especies de Opuntia. Los mapas resultantes permiten predecir la ruta de invasión de la palomilla del nopal al territorio Mexicano. Los mapas de probabilidad generados por FloraMap sugieren dos posibles rutas de invasión, la primera con alta probabilidad vía la frontera norte del país en Texas y una ruta secundaria por el Sureste mexicano. El impacto de C. cactorum y el potencial de los modelos bioclimáticos son discutidos.