Asaga warns of the uncontrolled expansion of the Mexican cochineal in the prickly pear trees of Lanzarote

The Canary Islands Association of Farmers and Ranchers (Asaga Canarias Asaja) warns of the "uncontrolled expansion" throughout the archipelago of the Mexican cochineal (Dactilopyus opuntaie), an aggressive plague that parasitizes and eventually withers the prickly pear trees. 

In a statement, Asaga details that this parasite was first detected in La Palma, specifically in Fuencaliente, in 2010, although it is currently also present in Tenerife and Lanzarote, as La Voz already reported

Asaga's concern "is maximum" because it fears that the destructive effects caused by the Mexican cochineal on the prickly pear trees will end up extinguishing this species, adapted to the island's edaphoclimatic conditions and undemanding in water and management.

The association points out that the usual cochineal in the Canary Islands (Dactilopyus coccus) is a parasite that coexists with its host but does not kill it.

Experts consulted by Asaga point out that, visually, plants infested by the Mexican cochineal are characterized by a dense cottony secretion that, after a while, ends up weakening and killing the prickly pear tree.

If the paddle or leaf presents an infestation level higher than 75%, there is no recovery, the association warns.

At this moment, there are no means to combat this plague since, officially, there is no registered phytosanitary product for its control.

The only permitted practices are the application of pressurized water and scraping the leaves for cleaning, the use of potassium soap, paraffin oil, or by releasing natural enemies on which further research is still needed.

These methods have managed to save some plants, but not stop the advance of this parasitoid whose dispersion is favored by the wind.

Even so, there is no record that the Mexican cochineal can affect either the native flora or other crops.

Theo Hernando, general secretary of Asaga Canarias Asaja, believes it is necessary for farmers to have information and training to know how to act to control the expansion of this insect pest.

He emphasizes that the use of prickly pear trees "is part of our culture", but it could also become an attractive activity to diversify the agricultural sector given the potential of the different products that are obtained and even the transformation of its fruits into the fourth range as it is being investigated.

According to the Canary Islands Institute of Statistics (ISTAC), there are a total of 154 hectares of prickly pear trees registered in the islands, of which 37.38 are in Tenerife, about nine less than in 2015.

The municipality of Buenavista, with 12.38 hectares, registers the highest concentration of prickly pear trees on the island.

In La Palma, the controlled area is located at 12.5 hectares and in Lanzarote, at 13.8 hectares. Gran Canaria has 50 hectares and Fuerteventura has 27.3 hectares. EFE