A Preliminary Study on the Introduction and Reproduction of Dactylopius coccus

Cochineal insect, Dactylopius coccus, has a long history of utilization as a natural insect resource and never distributes naturally in China.In 2000, D. coccus and its favorable hosts, Opuntia ficus-indica and O.(Nopalea) coccinellifera, were introduced from South America into China. This study shows that the propagation of D. coccus is ovoviviparity with overlapping generations and irregular life history. In Yuanjiang County, where annual average air temperature is 23.7℃ and falls into hot-dry valleys in north tropic, the propagation of D. coccus is 4~5 generations one year with a life history of 45~80 days and a period of the 1st instar nymphae being 15 days, but in Kunming where annual average air temperature is 14.5℃, its propagation and life history are 2~3 generations and 73~160 days respectively. The main factors affecting the growth and development of D. coccus are temperature and precipitation. A practical artificial method is to cultivate O. ficus-indica as host outdoors and to breed D. coccus indoors. Namely, after 1~2 years old stem joints were carried into rooms, transfer adult female with triangle paper or net bags, and control the breeding density of nymphae under 0.5 bug/cm 2 on the stem joints of host.