The Pyralidae, commonly called pyralid moths, snout moths or grass moths, are a family of Lepidoptera in the ditrysian superfamily Pyraloidea. In many classifications, the grass moths (Crambidae) are included in the Pyralidae as a subfamily, making the combined group one of the largest families in the Lepidoptera. The latest review by Eugene G. Munroe and Maria Alma Solis retain the Crambidae as a full family of Pyraloidea.
Opuntia ficus-indica, the Indian fig opuntia, fig opuntia, or prickly pear, is a species of cactus that has long been a domesticated crop plant grown in agricultural economies throughout arid and semiarid parts of the world. O. ficus-indica is the most widespread and most commercially important cactus. It is grown primarily as a fruit crop, and also for the vegetable nopales and other uses. Cacti are good crops for dry areas because they efficiently convert water into biomass. O. ficus-indica, as the most widespread of the long-domesticated cactuses, is as economically important as maize and blue agave in Mexico. Opuntia species hybridize easily, but the wild origin of O. ficus-indica is likely to have been in central Mexico, where its closest genetic relatives are found.
Cactoblastis cactorum, the cactus moth, South American cactus moth or nopal moth, is native to Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil. It is one of five species in the genus Cactoblastis that inhabit South America, where many parasitoids, predators and pathogens control the expansion of the moths' population. This species has been introduced into many areas outside its natural range, including Australia, the Caribbean, and South Africa. In some locations, it has spread uncontrollably and was consequently classified an invasive species. However, in other places such as Australia, it has gained favor for its role in the biological control of cacti from the genus Opuntia, such as prickly pear.
Opuntia, commonly called the prickly pear cactus, is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family Cactaceae, many known for their flavorful fruit and showy flowers. Prickly pear alone is more commonly used to refer exclusively to the fruit, but may also be used for the plant itself; in addition, other names given to the plant and its specific parts include tuna (fruit), sabra, nopal from the Nahuatl word nōpalli, nostle (fruit) from the Nahuatl word nōchtli, and paddle cactus. The genus is named for the Ancient Greek city of Opus, where, according to Theophrastus, an edible plant grew and could be propagated by rooting its leaves. The most common culinary species is the Indian fig opuntia (O. ficus-indica).
Melitara subumbrella is a species of snout moth in the genus Melitara. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1925. It is widespread in western North America, from southern Alberta and Saskatchewan to southern Arizona, central Texas, southern New Mexico and south-eastern California.
Ozamia fuscomaculella is a species of snout moth in the genus Ozamia. It was described by William S. Wright in 1916. It is found in the US state of California.
Ozamia clarefacta is a species of snout moth in the genus Ozamia. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1919. It is found in Texas and Mexico
Ozamia thalassophila is a species of snout moth in the genus Ozamia. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1925. It is found in the US state of California.
Ozamia punicans is a species of snout moth in the genus Ozamia. It was described by Carl Heinrich in 1939. It is found in Argentina and possibly southern Brazil.
Ozamia lucidalis is a species of snout moth in the genus Ozamia. It was described by Francis Walker in 1863. It is found on Hispaniola and Jamaica, as well as Cuba and in Mexico, on the Florida Keys and Texas.
Ozamia immorella is a species of snout moth in the genus Ozamia. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1913. It is found in Mexico.
Ozamia stigmaferella is a species of snout moth in the genus Ozamia. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1922. It is found in Argentina.
Zophodia multistriatella is a species of snout moth in the genus Zophodia. It was described by André Blanchard and Edward C. Knudson in 1982. It is found in the US states of Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.
Tucumania porrecta is a species of snout moth in the genus Tucumania. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1925. It is found in Uruguay.
Tucumania tapiacola is a species of snout moth in the genus Tucumania. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1925. It is found in Argentina and has been introduced to Australia and South Africa.
Zophodia analamprella is a species of snout moth in the genus Zophodia. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1922. It is found in Argentina and is possibly also present in Paraguay.
Zophodia huanucensis is a species of snout moth in the genus Zophodia. It was described by Carl Heinrich in 1939. It is found in Peru.
Zophodia chilensis is a species of snout moth in the genus Zophodia. It was described by Carl Heinrich in 1939. It is found in Chile.
Zophodia nephelepasa is a species of snout moth in the genus Zophodia. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1919. It is found in Mexico.
