First report of Dactylopius opuntiae in Tunisia
Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) feeds on Opuntia species. This scale has been used as a biocontrol agent against Opuntia spp. where these plants are considered as weeds. However, in areas where Opuntia spp. are grown as crops (such as Opuntia ficus-indica), the presence of this scale causes severe damage. D. opuntiae was first recorded in the EPPO region in Spain in 2009 (EPPO RS 2014/100), in Lebanon in 2012 (RS 2017/189), in Israel in 2013, in Morocco in 2014 (RS 2016/152), in Cyprus in 2016 (RS 2017/082) and in Jordan in 2019 (RS 2019/154).
The NPPO of Tunisia conducted a survey to assess the presence of D. opuntiae on its territory after observing suspicious symptoms in the region of Sidi Zid in 2021. The survey confirmed the presence of D. opuntiae. The identity of the pest was confirmed by molecular tests. An official control strategy was immediately put into place to eradicate the identified outbreaks and prevent the insect from spreading to other areas.
The pest status of Dactylopius opuntiae in Tunisia is officially declared as: Present: not widely distributed and under official control.
Sources
IPPC website. Official Pest Reports – Tunisia (TUN-03/2 of 2024/05/02) Premier signalement de la cochenille du cactus ou Dactylopius opuntiae en Tunisie. https://www.ippc.int/en/countries/tunisia/pestreports/2024/05/premier-signalement-de-la-cochenille-du-cactus-ou-dactylopius-opuntiae-en-tunisie/