ImageEvent
Public Gallery>gladysclancy>Nature and Landscapes>
One species of prickly pear was first brought to Australia with the First Fleet to help establish an industry in cochineal – the red dye used to colour the coats of the British soldiers. The dye was extracted from the cochineal beetle, which lives and feeds on prickly pear. By the late 19th century a different species of prickly pear had spread out of control in New South Wales and Queensland, and by the 1920s covered more than 25 million hectares. The spiky cactus formed dense stands that made the areas it infested nearly impossible to raise animals on, driving many farmers from their land. Various methods of chemical and physical control of the cactus were tried without much success.  In 1926, the caterpillars of the Argentinian Cactoblastis moth were first released into affected areas. The moth larvae burrow into and eat the cactus, eventually killing it. Cactoblastis was a great success, and in less than 10 years after its introduction the prickly pear population had been brought largely under control.  Prickly Pear is a Noxious Weed in Australia.
Showing 1-19 of 196295 visitsAlbum by gladysclancyPhotos by Gladys
Enlarge photo 1 Prickly Pear Flower -- 5 Dec 2006
Enlarge photo 2 Twin Buds of Prickly Pear
Enlarge photo 3 Ripe Fruit of Prickly Pear
Enlarge photo 4 Prickly Pear in front of House
Enlarge photo 5 Prickly Pear Flower
Enlarge photo 6 Prickly Pear Fruit
Enlarge photo 7 Sunlit Flower of Prickly Pear
Enlarge photo 8 Solitary Flower Bud of Prickly Pear
Enlarge photo 9 Prickly Pear Flower Buds
Enlarge photo 10 Opening Flower Bud of Prickly Pear
Enlarge photo 11 Prickly Pear Flower
Enlarge photo 12 Prickly Pear was Introduced to Australia
Enlarge photo 13 Prickly Pear Flower
Enlarge photo 14 Prickly Pear Fruit
Enlarge photo 15 Prickly Pear is a Noxious Weed in Australia
Enlarge photo 16 118 1198
Enlarge photo 17 Edible Fruit of Prickly Pear
Enlarge photo 18 Sunshine on Prickly Pear Flower
Enlarge photo 19 Prickly Pear has edible Fruit