Anatomy
Adult Cactoblastis cactorum are non-descriptive brownish-gray moths with long legs and long antennae. The moth can be identified only by a microscopic examination of dissected male genitalia. They generally appear as typical Pyralide moths, with the pronounced labial palps of the female; thus the name "snout moths".
The fore-wings show a characteristic banding pattern similar to other related moths. The hind wings are whitish and semi-transparent, and the wingspan of adult moths varies by age and sex. The average wingspan is 27-40mm for females, and 23-32mm for males.
The larvae of Cactoblastis cactorum are caterpillars that start out with a pink-cream color and gradually become orange, with distinctive black spots or bands.
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