Prickly pears (genus Opuntia) include a number of plant species that were introduced and have become invasive in Australia.
Prickly pears (mostly Opuntia stricta) were imported into Australia in the First Fleet as hosts of cochineal insects, used in the dye industry. Many of these, especially the tiger pear, quickly became widespread invasive species, rendering of farming land unproductive. The moth Cactoblastis cactorum from Argentina, whose larvae eat prickly pear, was introduced in 1925 and almost wiped out the prickly pear. This case is often cited as an example of successful biological pest control.
A monument to Cactoblastis cactorum was erected in Dalby, Queensland, commemorating the eradication of the prickly pear in the region. The Cactoblastis Memorial Hall in Boonarga, Queensland, also commemorates the eradication.
Species These 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
See also Invasive species in Australia Conservation in Australia Agriculture in Australia
References
External links Prickly Pear photograph album 1926-1933 digitised and held by State Library of Queensland Prickly pears in Australia at the Australian Weeds Committee History of prickly pear in Australia - from a New South Wales' perspective A prickly problem : Dr Jean White-Haney and the prickly pear, State Library of Queensland Prickly-Pear Experimental Station, Dulacca: report from 1st May, 1915, to 30th June, 1916 / by Jean White-Haney, State Library of Queensland Prickly-Pear Experimental Station, Dulacca: reports up to 30th April, 1914 / by Jean White, State Library of Queensland Prickly-Pear Experimental Station, Dulacca: report from 1st May, 1914, to 30th April, 1915 / Jean White-Haney, State Library of Queensland Prickly Pear Control Oral History, State Library of Queensland Henderson Photograph Album 1922-1930, State Library of Queensland