2/26/07- The appropriately named, cactoblastis cactorum moth is launching a heavy attack on Mexico’s industry of cultivating nopales. So guisado de nopales, ensalada de nopales, nopales con huevos, salsa de nopales etc. may soon be a thing of the past- gasp.

Why?  Well the oh-so hungry cactoblastis cactorum moth has hit the shores of Mexico, and getting rid of the pesky and very hungry creature is proving to be a real chore.  According to the USDA website, the moth originated in South America, and was used in the 1920s in Australia to control their prickly pear cactus population.  The moth has spread its woolly wings worldwide to various areas including South Africa and the U.S. since the 1920s and its reported to have landed on Mexican shores last year.

The moth is reported to have destroyed all the prickly pear cactus in Queensland, Australia in just a matter of a decade.  These reports have Mexican farmers worried about the potential destruction to a way of life, and an estimated $150 million dollar crop farmed in Mexico (figures according to Reuters). 

Want to see a picture of the moth? (not for the faint of heart)  Link

Here’s some nopales recipes so you can cook with nopales, while the cooking is good!  Cooking links 

T. Valencia

tvalencia@hispanic.com