Prickly pears in Australia

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.

[1] Many of these, especially the tiger pear, quickly became widespread invasive species, rendering 40,000 km2 (15,000 sq mi) of farming land unproductive.

[3][4] 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.