Country: Mexico

Title: Detection and eradication of a cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum Berg) outbreak in Isla Contoy, municipality of Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico

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Report:

As part of the measures applied under the “Regional Program for Eradication and monitoring of the cactus moth in the Yucatan Peninsula”, which was implemented after the first detection of the pest on July 31, 2006 in Isla Mujeres, municipality of Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, on May 4, 2007, two cactus moth were trapped at Isla Contoy National Park, municipality of Isla Mujeres, State of Quintana Roo.

SENASICA, through the Plant Health General Directorate, in collaboration with the Quintana Roo Plant Health State Committee, within the above mentioned regional program, obtained the permits from the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission for Protected Areas in order to intensify monitoring actions (trapping with pheromone and direct sampling). The outbreak area was therefore delimited and the appropriate actions were applied to suppress the pest. The actions consist mainly of removing hosts infested by the moth and implementing the sterile insect technique. Experts from the United States Department of Agriculture and the International Atomic Energy Agency participated in these efforts.

On February 2009, the period equivalent to three biological cycles without pest detections was reached. Therefore, according to the Tassan model, the outbreak has been eradicated.

Based on this and according to ISPM Number 8 on pest delimiting in an area, Cactoblastis cactorum is considered absent: eradicated in Mexico.

Posted Date: April 24, 2009, 9 a.m.