species 13,901 observations
Brown-spined Pricklypear
Opuntia phaeacantha
Field notes
Opuntia phaeacantha is a species of prickly pear cactus known by the common names brown-spine prickly pear, tulip prickly pear, and desert prickly pear, which is found across the southwestern United States, lower Great Plains, and northern Mexico. The plant forms dense but localized thickets. Several varieties of this particular species occur, and it may hybridize with other prickly pears, making identification sometimes tricky.
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Caterpillars
Moths and butterflies raised on it
Opuntia Leaf Miner, Julia's Dicymolomia Moth, Scale-feeding Snout, Staghorn Cholla Moth
8
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Specialist bees
Bees whose young are raised on the pollen of it
Orange-tipped Woodborer, Diadasia australis, Cactus Bee, Lithurgopsis littoralis
7
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Hosted animals
Gall makers, leaf miners and other animals living on or in it
Ornate Yellow-marked Buprestid, Asphondylia betheli
2
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Plant eaters
Animals that feed on it
Curve-billed Thrasher, Cactus Coreid Bug, White-winged Dove, Shortfin Mako
13
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Flower visitors
Pollinators and other flower visitors
Peridot Sweat Bee, Ligated Furrow Bee, California Digger Bee, Curved Pebble Bee
49
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Sheltered animals
Animals that nest or roost in it
Epicauta oregona
1
Range
Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided
Key traits
From NC State Extension, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and USDA PLANTS.