Moths put cactuses in prickly situation

The moths are coming. The cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) is on its way to Texas, and it’s only a matter of time. According to a report by The Associated Press, the cactus-eating moth has established itself in Mississippi and Louisiana, and officials are trying to keep it from invading Texas by introducing sterile male moths and destroying infested cactuses. The biggest questions: when and where? And maybe: Can a moth that eats prickly pear, which is abundant in some pastures, be a bad thing? “If everyone hated prickly pear, this wouldn’t be an issue,” said Robert Pritz, Taylor County agricultural extension agent. “But it is a complex issue because cattle producers in our area consider it a pest, while the wildlife enthusiasts like the cover it provides for quail.”...ReporterNews