Commercial detergent to counteract Dactylopius coccus

Hafsia Bouzenna; Marwa Ghouil; Samar Dhibi; May Omar; Hmed Ben Nasr

doi:10.56027/JOASD.122026

Authors

Hafsia Bouzenna Laboratory of Biotechnology and Biomonitoring of the Environment and Oasis Ecosystems (LBBEEO), Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Tunisia
Marwa Ghouil Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Tunisia.
Samar Dhibi Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Tunisia.
May Omar Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Tunisia.
Hmed Ben Nasr Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Tunisia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56027/JOASD.122026

Keywords:

Dactylopius coccus, Opuntia ficus, Detergent, Insecticide

Abstract

The cochineal Dactylopius coccus has been responsible for devastating large extent of Opuntia ficus indica implantations around the Mediterranean Sea. In this paper we tested the efficacy of commercial of washing liquid soap as insecticide against D. coccus. The diluted (1:10 soap/water) product was pulverized at a raison of 1 liter per m², in situ, on hosted O. ficus indica. Our results revealed quasi-total mortality of D. coccus, within one month after a unique pulverization of the product, as testified by the absence of the wax filament and desiccated females’ bodies. It is concluded that house-used detergent exert potent insecticidal effect against D. coccus and might be useful in managing the pest and preserving the vegetal patrimony.

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