In 1788, prickly pear from the Americas was brought to Australia for hedges and red dye; by the 1920s, it had taken over 24 million hectares of land
Prickly pear came to Australia in 1788 for red dye. By the 1920s, it had taken over 24 million hectares, before moths released in 1926 began clearing it.
In 1788, prickly pear from the Americas was brought to Australia for hedges and red dye. Introduced by Captain Arthur Phillip’s ships, the cactus arrived with cochineal insects for dye production. However, by the 1920s, it had overrun 24.3 million hectares of land in New South Wales and Queensland, rendering it unusable for farming.
Initially, the cactus was brought for hedges and fodder during droughts. Despite several Acts and a £10,000 reward, the cactus persisted, spreading unchecked. In 1926, moths were released to combat the invasive cactus. These moths, native to South America, fed on the cactus, killing it within weeks. By 1933, around 50 to 60 percent of infested land in New South Wales had been cleared of the prickly pear.
Today, while the cactus no longer poses the same threat, it remains a problem in certain areas, notably in Australia and the Caribbean. The story highlights how introducing a species to a new environment can bring about unforeseen consequences.
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