2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyraliade) is an invasive cactus-feeding moth that is rapidly expanding its geographical range along both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, and threatening the Opuntia-based agriculture and ecosystems in the southwestern USA and Mexico. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is the only tactic that appears capable of stopping the westward spread of this moth. The objective of this project is to develop and test SIT as a tactic for the containment of this pest at the leading edge of its geographical range, and as a tactic to eradicate point infestations that may occur beyond the leading edge. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) This study proposes to release sterile insects over three generations of adult flight that occur for Cactoblastis each year (April-May; July-August; mid-September to mid-November) in Florida, as well as to conduct follow-up monitoring/assessment in the subsequent fourth generation. Research and development activities to prepare for and implement this study will include: (1) development of survey and trapping techniques, (2) evaluation of synthetic lures for traps, (3) mark-release-recapture tests to determine moth competitiveness, storage and transportation protocols, release methodology, release frequency and dispersal ability, (4) refinement of rearing methodologies and expansion of rearing capabilities, (5) mapping of host plants in SIT validation areas, and (6) development of protocols for area sanitation through the removal of infested plants. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable agreement between ARS and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6602-22000-035-00D, "Integrated Management Strategies Related To Insects For Established And Invasive Pest Species." Since its detection in south Florida in 1989, the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, has expanded its range north along the Atlantic Coast as far as Bull Island near Charleston, South Carolina, and west along the Gulf Coast as far as Dauphin Island, Alabama. Although prickly pear cactus has minor value as a food crop in the US, it has significant value as an ecological plant, adding to wildlife habitat, ecosystem structure and biodiversity in both developed and undeveloped areas. Additionally, further westward spread could lead into Mexico where prickly-pear cactus is a major agricultural commodity and has significantly larger socio-economic importance. We have partnered with scientists from the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and APHIS to develop and test synthetic lures, trapping protocols, an artificial diet and mass-rearing techniques, and control strategies using insecticides and sterile insect releases. As a result of our findings, USDA is currently using this technology to increase detection efforts and establish a barrier to mitigate the cactus moth’s westward movement toward the US desert southwest and Mexico. The combination of the SIT and sanitation has been very successful in reducing the cactus moth population on Dauphin Island and Little Duaphin Island to near non-detectable levels. These tactics have prevented further westward expansion of the invasive Argentine cactus moth during the past three years, and the technology has been transferred to USDA-APHIS for use in an expanded operational program that is part of an ongoing U.S.-Mexico bi-national campaign to mitigate the threat of this invasive pest. NP-304 -Crop Protection and Quarantine.