Dactylopius confusus (Cockerell, 1929) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae): an invasive insect pest of cactus in Algeria; identification, morphology and geographical distribution
Journal of Insect Biodiversity, cilt.86, sa.2, ss.26-40, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 86 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.12976/jib/2026.86.2.1
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Insect Biodiversity
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, BIOSIS
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.26-40
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Algeria, D. confusus, D. opuntiae, Diagnostic, distribution, O. ficus-indica
- Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The prickly pear cochineal, Dactylopius confusus (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), is an invasive scale insect and serious pest of the prickly pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica L. (Cactaceae), in Algeria since it was introduced in 2021. This study confirms the presence of D. confusus rather than D. opuntiae, with diagnostic and morphometric analyses of adult females. Furthermore, monitoring of D. confusus enabled the observation and documentation of all developmental stages, as well as its geographical distribution.