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Prickly pears in Australia

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Prickly pears in Australia

Prickly pears (Genus Opuntia) are an invasive plant species in Australia.

Prickly pears (mostly Opuntia stricta) were imported into Australia in the 19th century for use as a natural agricultural fence and in an attempt to establish a cochineal dye industry. Many of these, especially the Tiger Pear, quickly became widespread invasive species, rendering 40,000 km2 (15,000 sq mi) of farming land unproductive. The moth Cactoblastis cactorum from South America, whose larvae eat prickly pear, was introduced in 1925 and almost wiped out the population. This case is often cited as an example of successful biological pest control.

There is a monument to the Cactoblastis cactorum in Dalby, Queensland commemorating the eradication of the prickly pear in the region. The Cactoblastis Memorial Hall in Boonarga, Queensland, also commemorating the eradication.

Species

The following Opuntia species are recorded as naturalised in Australia:

  • Opuntia aurantiaca
  • Opuntia dejecta
  • Opuntia dillenii
  • Opuntia elata
  • Opuntia elatior
  • Opuntia engelmannii
  • Opuntia ficus-indica
  • Opuntia humifusa
  • Opuntia leucotricha
  • Opuntia microdasys
  • Opuntia monacantha
  • Opuntia polyacantha
  • Opuntia puberula
  • Opuntia robusta
  • Opuntia schickendantzii
  • Opuntia sp. Schrank
  • Opuntia streptacantha
  • Opuntia stricta
  • Opuntia sulphurea
  • Opuntia tomentosa
  • References

    Prickly pears in Australia Wikipedia


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