none The cactus-boring moth Melitara prodenialis Walker was common in moderate to dense infestations of prickly pear cactus in northern and western Arkansas in 1988-89. Larvae had difficulty surviving on healthy prickly pear, and the species was most abundant in prickly pear stands that were stressed by overgrazing or poor soil conditions. Melitara prodenialis was bivoltine in Arkansas. The first generation was completed in mid-summer, the second in early fall. Winter was probably spent as young larvae. Minimum generation time in the laboratory at 26 degree C was 74 days. Larvae fed freely and grew on a wheat-germ-based artificial diet but failed to complete development. The ichneumonid Temeleucha sinuata (Cushman) is reported as a parasitoid of M. prodenialis in Arkansas.