First Record of Infestation Of Dactylopius Ceylonicus (Green) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) On Opuntia Elatior Mill. (Cactaceae) From Central India

Abstract

The attack of wild cochineal insect, Dactylopius ceylonicus (Green, 1869) (Hemiptera: Coccoideae: Dactylopiidae) has been reported for the first time on Red flower Prickly pear, Opuntia elatior Mill.  (Cactaceae) from Central India. Opuntia elatior was introduced in India as a part of the cochineal trade during the 1800s and is considered an invasive weed in many countries.  Dactylopius ceylonicus is a wild cochineal insect that secretes red-coloured Crimson dye. The insect was introduced mistakenly in place of a true cochineal insect (D. cacti) in an attempt to establish the Cochineal dye industry during the colonial period in India. Many insects of the Dactylopius genera act as biological control agents for invasive Opuntia species.  Many attempts were made in the past to control O. elatior by using D. ceylonicus but didn’t establish itself on Opuntia elatior. It is the first instance when   D. ceylonicus attacking O. elatior is recorded. Through these research findings, we can achieve targeted biological control of O. elatior without affecting species of economic importance i.e. O. ficus-indica. A voucher specimen of Insect sample was submitted to the National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bangalore. The spatial distribution of insects is localized to small regions and has been shown on the map. Probable reasons for host diversification, evolution, and possible economic benefits are discussed in this research article and the need for further research has been emphasized.