A Cactus Bug, Chelinidea Vittiger Aequoris McAtee, In Florida

Insects that attack pricklypear cacti, Opuntia spp., In North America have been under investigation for a century. The primary purpose of this research has been to determine which insects have the most promise as biocontrol agents where cacti are severe weed problems. In Australia, for example, over 30,000,000 acres of pasture land were rendered useless because of dense stands of exotic pricklypear cacti. One of the native American cactus insects that showed early promise as a control agent was the core id bug, Chelinidea vittiger Uhler. De Vol and Goeden (1973) discussed the value of this species in biological weed control and reported that it was ineffective in controlling pricklypears in Australia and Santa Cruz island, California. In most areas of North America pricklypears are not a problem because a complex of insects keeps them under control. Chelinidea vittiger is considered a minor component of that in Florida and the other southeastern states, the only Chelinidea present is C. vittiger aequoris McAtee.