Melitara dentata

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Melitara dentata
Melitara dentata adult.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pyralidae
Genus: Melitara
Species:
M. dentata
Binomial name
Melitara dentata
(Grote, 1876)
Synonyms
  • Zophodia dentataGrote, 1876

Melitara dentata, the North American cactus moth, is a moth of the family Pyralidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1876. It is native to western North America, where it is widespread from Alberta to southern Arizona and central Texas. It is an introduced species in Hawaii.

Larva Melitara dentata larva.jpg
Larva
Damage on Opuntia cymochila Melitara dentata damage.jpg
Damage on Opuntia cymochila

The wingspan is 32–50 mm.

There is one generation per year.

The larvae feed on Opuntia species, including Opuntia fragilis , Opuntia macrorhiza and Opuntia polyacantha . Pupation takes place in the silk cases.


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