The biology of Dactylopius tomentosus (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) (original) (raw)
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In 1913, a cochineal insect species, Dactylopius ceylonicus (Green) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), was released in South Africa as a biological control agent against drooping prickly pear Opuntia monacantha. Later, in 1938, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) was used, together with several other biological control agents, to suppress populations of mission prickly pear, Opuntia ficus-indica. Both programmes achieved considerable success in alleviating these weed problems. In common with some other cochineal insect species, D. opuntiae is oligophagous which has led to allegations that it has competitively displaced D. ceylonicus on O. monacantha in South Africa. An investigation into this supposition showed that D. ceylonicus is still present at all of the seven sites where O. monacantha was monitored and that D. opuntiae was not found to occur on O. monacantha at any of the sites. Although D. opuntiae is able to use both O. monacantha and O. ficus-indica as hosts, under laboratory conditions its performance (developmental duration, survival and body mass of the females at maturity) was significantly inferior to that of D. ceylonicus on O. monacantha. These observations show that there is no evidence of the actual or potential displacement of D. ceylonicus by D. opuntiae on O. monacantha.
EPPO Bulletin, 2018
The prickly pear cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae Cockerell (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) is a serious pest that causes severe damage to prickly pear cactus species of the genus Opuntia. Before its introduction to Morocco no control methods were available for use against this pest. The current paper presents the results of the use for the first time of the mealybug destroyer Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and the biopesticide D-limonene to control D. opuntiae. The efficacy of the biopesticide was evaluated under field conditions. Corrected female mortality rates were >82% 6 days after application of D-limonene at 60 ppm. The greatest mortality rates 6 days after treatment were 98% and 99% at 120 and 150 ppm, respectively. The data analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the different doses 6 or 13 days after treatment. The LD 50 recorded was 33 ppm. In terms of biological control, the use of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri significantly reduced the cochineal scale population by 92% 77 days after release. This effect was maintained until 99 days after release of C. montrouzieri, and then the rate of population reduction declined to the level observed 64 days after release (66%). These results suggest that C. montrouzieri has the potential to suppress D. opuntiae populations to an acceptable level and reduce the damage caused by this cochineal.
The distribution pattern of species of the genus Dactylopius Costa in Mexico was analyzed in relation to the distribution of their host plants (subfamily Opuntioideae) to evaluate the speciiicity of the insect-host association. The distribution of Dactylopius currently recognized is narrower than that of its hosts and probably is not representative. Therefore, a broader distribution of the Dactylopius species in correspondence with those of their hosts was hypothesized. Insects and their hosts were collected and georeferenced in 14 states of Mexico from 2005 to 2007. The distribution areas, maps, and habitat characteristics of Dactylopius, Opuntia sensu stricto, Nopalea and Cylindropuntia were determined on the basis of ield collections and examination of museum collections. This information was complemented with information from the exhaustive examination of microscope slides from a local insect collection, plants from local herbaria, and literature reviews. The current distribution of the genus Dactylopius and its hosts included 22 and 25 states of Mexico, respectively, and Dactylopius had a continuous distribution according to its hosts, broader than recognized hitherto. The new georeferenced records of the ive Mexican Dactylopius species are reported. Insects with morphological characteristics of D. confusus combined with those of D. salmianus were identiiied, as well as insects with characteristics of D. opuntiae combined with those of D. salmianus. These records suggest that the number of local Dactylopius species could be higher than previously thought or that possible new processes of hybridization between native and introduced species may be occurring.
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2020
The false carmine cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae has been originally used as biological control agent of the prickly pear cactus Opuntia ficus-indica Miller, considered as an exotic invasive species in many countries including Spain. However, the extremely high level of infestation has resulted in great inconvenience to the population of local residents and a serious threat to wipe out a plant that is already part of the Andalusian landscape. In the present research, different control means were evaluated towards this cochineal at field condition in a site in the province of Cadiz (Spain). The populations of the insect in the study site were confirmed to belong to D. opuntiae. We detected this insect throughout the study area with a very high population density in terms of number of colonies per cladode and the extent of the infestation. We also evaluated the efficacy of four different methods (Chlorpyrifos-methyl, Potassium soap, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri larvae, the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana) for the control of D. opuntiae. Our results demonstrated that the Potassium soap and Chlorpyrifos-methyl were the best treatments in reducing D. opuntiae populations, with relative population density values being negative only in these two treatments, and efficacies of 91.5 and 76.7% respectively. The results of this investigation showed that the current situation of false carmine cochineal is worrisome, but nevertheless, the use of Potassium soap for its control is recommended because of its high efficacy and low environmental impact.
Neotropical …, 2011
The distribution pattern of species of the genus Dactylopius Costa in Mexico was analyzed in relation to the distribution of their host plants (subfamily Opuntioideae) to evaluate the speci icity of the insect-host association. The distribution of Dactylopius currently recognized is narrower than that of its hosts and probably is not representative. Therefore, a broader distribution of the Dactylopius species in correspondence with those of their hosts was hypothesized. Insects and their hosts were collected and georeferenced in 14 states of Mexico from 2005 to 2007. The distribution areas, maps, and habitat characteristics of Dactylopius, Opuntia sensu stricto, Nopalea and Cylindropuntia were determined on the basis of ield collections and examination of museum collections. This information was complemented with information from the exhaustive examination of microscope slides from a local insect collection, plants from local herbaria, and literature reviews. The current distribution of the genus Dactylopius and its hosts included 22 and 25 states of Mexico, respectively, and Dactylopius had a continuous distribution according to its hosts, broader than recognized hitherto. The new georeferenced records of the ive Mexican Dactylopius species are reported. Insects with morphological characteristics of D. confusus combined with those of D. salmianus were identi ied, as well as insects with characteristics of D. opuntiae combined with those of D. salmianus. These records suggest that the number of local Dactylopius species could be higher than previously thought or that possible new processes of hybridization between native and introduced species may be occurring. Introducti on Insects of the genus Dactylopius Costa, the cochineals, and their cacti hosts Opuntia, Nopalea, Cylindropuntia and Grusonia, are endemic to the American Continent
The cochineal scale insect, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell), is a key pest of Opuntia spp. (Plantae: Cactaceae). It reduces the plants’ useful-life and affects production of their cladodes and fruit. Chemical control is the main strategy, but it is inefficient and a risk for environment and human health. For this reason, other management strategies are required, for example biological control with entomophagous insects. To this end, the population dynamics of D. opuntiae and its predators were studied in three commercial plantations of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller cactus grown for production of tender cladodes in Tlalnepantla, Morelos. The study was conducted from February to August 2008. Weekly random samples were taken of adult females from 50 colonies in each plantation. Abiotic factors recorded in the three sites were precipitation, temperature and relative humidity. Pearson correlation indexes were determined for the pest, its predators and the abiotic factors. The entomophagous insects Leucopis bellula (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae) and Sympherobius barberi (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) were the most correlated with D. opuntiae, r = 0.3931, p = 0.0005 and r = 0.3075, p = 0.0073, respectively. Relative humidity (r = -0.5648, p < 0.0001) and number of days with observable precipitation (r = -0.5621, p = 0.0189) negatively affected D. opuntiae abundance, while mean temperature favored population growth (r = 0.3899, p = 0.0039).
PONTE International Scientific Researchs Journal, 2020
Dactylopius opuntiae is the most important pest of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) around the world. Recently the scale-supping pest have become an increasing threat to the cultivation of prickly pear in many Mediterranean areas. The life cycle of D. opuntiae was carried out under field and semi-field in Winter-Spring and Spring-Summer Morocco conditions. The results showed that the duration of life cycle of D. opuntiae under field and semi-field conditions was temperature dependent. It was long (133.52±3.82 days) in Winter-Spring when temperature was between 2.3°C and 25°C than in Spring-Summer (127.85±2.15 days) when the temperature was between 13.5°C and 47°C. Duration of male life cycle was significantly long under field conditions in Winter-Spring (74.57±4.05 days) and short (37.10±3.0 days) under semi-field conditions in Spring-Summer. For the duration of female life cycle it was significantly long (133.52±3.82 days) under field conditions in Winter-Spring, and no significant difference was observed between field conditions in Spring-Summer, semi-field conditions in Spring-Summer, and semi-field conditions in Winter-Spring. The effect of the availability of food on reproduction and population growth parameters was also evaluated under laboratory conditions at 25 ±2°C and the results indicated that the females pre-oviposition, and postoviposition periods were significantly long without food than in the presence of food, however oviposition period, females longevity, fecundity, fertility, and growth index were significantly higher in the presence of food than without food. Also the net reproductive rate (R0), and generation time
2019
The cochineal scale, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell, 1896) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), is reported from Jordan for the first time from several localities in the north of the country. This scale insect attacks the Indian-fig prickly pear, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (Cactaceae), and plants are killed by heavy infestations. The distribution and the relative degree of infestations in Jordan are shown in a map. Voucher specimens of the collected samples were preserved in the University of Jordan Insect Museum. Slides of adult females were prepared, and digital images were taken to illustrate important diagnostic characters. World distribution, morphology, control methods, natural enemies and the probable means of the introduction of this serious pest are discussed.
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2009
Historical aspects on the use and production of Mexican species of Dactylopius (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) and Opuntia (Cactaceae: Opuntioidae), as well as on their origin, diversity and distribution were investigated. Main issues on the conservation of these taxa are discussed. The colorant of five species of Dactylopius was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector, and phylogeny of these insects was analyzed through PCR amplified 12S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequences. Opuntia and Dactylopius are endemic to the American Continent, Opuntia spp. being among the main components of human diet during pre-agricultural times and their cultivation started several hundred years ago, whereas cochineal was used and probably cultivated at least from the tenth century. Mexico is one of the main areas of diversity of Opuntia, having 83-104 out of nearly 200 species worldwide. More than 50 species are used mainly as food, fodder and medicine and 20 species are cultivated with different degrees of domestication. Dactylopius includes nine species, with five of them naturally occurring in Mexico, with a distribution corresponding with that of their hosts. Arid and semi-arid areas of Mexico are among the most important reservoirs of biological diversity for both genera, particularly for D. coccus. Only D. coccus has been cultivated and domesticated but other wild species have been used throughout history as a source of natural red colorant, among other uses. The chemical analysis allowed each species to be identified on the basis of differences in their metabolic profiles, and to be recognized as a source of colorant. The first molecular analysis of Dactylopius species was obtained. These analyses were useful to describe Dactylopius-Opuntioideae host association. Specific measures for protecting such biodiversity and genetic resources are necessary. Particularly, strategies for in situ conservation associated with the promotion of cochineal use and production are promising policies.
Biogeography of Dactylopiidae and Human Factor
Acta horticulturae, 2009
Dactylopids hemipterans are used as pigment for food, drugs, cosmetics, handcrafts, and biological control agents. However, no study has reported how the distribution of dactylopids has been influenced by man. The present work had as objective to review the influence of man on geographic distribution of dactylopids. Based in literature, visits to natural habitats of Opuntia host plants and several areas where cochineal was or is produced, the distribution of dactylopiids is discussed with special emphasis in ecology and human factors. Since cactus fossils have not yet been found, it was necessary to look back to the continental drift theory as well as the phylogeny of cactus hosts and related plants. Cacti originated in South America and dispersed to North America; there, specific factors allowed developing new associations as happened to Opuntia and their natural enemies, which coevolved to become new species. Dactylopius coccus, D. confusus, D. bassi, D. opuntiae and D. tomentosus are found in North America, and D. austrinus, D. ceylonicus, D. confertus, D. salmianus and D. zimmermanii in South America. Because of their usefulness to man, both Opuntia and dactilopids are organisms of wide interest for commercial production; the effect is that their distribution, originally Neotropical and Neartic, now encompasses Afrotropical, Australasian, Paleartic and Oriental regions. Some effects of these activities have made that cochineal world production currently reaches more than 2000 t yr-1 , but they also created new plagues issues, as seen in the presence of D. opuntiae in Opuntia ficusindica plantations in Brazil, Spain, and other countries.