Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Museums

Regional Maps

Species Dactylopius ceylonicus (Green, 1896)

Monacantha Cochineal, Wild Cochineal Insect

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


Ecological Descriptors

Sap-feeder.

 

ID Keys

(De Lotto, G., 1974) [173-174] (female; world); (Ferris, G.F., 1955) [86] (female; North America)

 

GENERAL

Good description and illustration of the adult female given by Ferris, G.F. 1955. Atlas of the Scale Insects of North America, v. 7, the Families Aclerdidae, Asterolecaniidae, Conchaspididae Dactylopiidae and Lacciferidae. iii. Palo Alto, California : Stanford University Press 233 pp., De Lotto, G. 1974. On the status and identity of the cochineal insects (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Dactylopiidae). Journal of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa 37: 167–193. Portillo Martinez, L. 1995. [Hosts of the carmine cochineal (Dactylopius spp.) and considerations for its improvement.] Los hospederos de las cochinillas del carmin (Dactylopius spp.) y algunos consideraciones sobre su aprovechamiento. pp. 308 pp. in Anon. (ed). Conocimiento y aprovechamiento del nopal : 6to. congreso nacional y 4to. congreso internacional, 6-10 de noviembre de 1995 : memorias / compilaciön. Las Agujas, Nextipac, Zapopan, Mexico : Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biolögicas y Agropecuarias, et al. distinguished between the fine cochineal species Dactylopius coccus and a group of wild cochineal species comprising D. austrinus, D. ceylonicus, D. confertus, D. confusus, D. opuntiae, D. salmianus, D. tomentosus and D. zimmermani.

BIOLOGY

Karny, M. 1972. Comparative studies on three Dactylopius species (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae) attacking introduced opuntias in South Africa. Entomology Memoirs, Department of Agricultural Technical Services, Republic of South Africa. Pretoria 26: 1–19 studied in South Africa three populations of Dactylopius spp., namely Species P, Species J and Dactylopius indicus [=Dactylopius ceylonicus]. Studies were carried out on their life histories and their suitability for biological control of Opuntia spp.

SYSTEMATICS

The original description of Dactylopius argentinus Dominguez, 1915 (current status synonym of D. ceylonicus ), includes the binomen, distribution, host plants and the chemical composition of the female.

STRUCTURE

Colour illustration of the adult female and male given by Green, E.E. 1922. The Coccidae of Ceylon. Part V. London : Dulau & Co..

ECONOMIC AND CONTROL

Goeden, R.D. 1978. Part II: Biological control of weeds. In, [Unknown] (ed). Introduced Parasites and Predators of Arthropod Pests and Weeds: A World Review. Washington, D.C. : Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture 545 pp. discussed the use of this species in biological control of Opuntia spp.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 COCCOIDEA 25-Mar-2024 MODIFIED Dr Vivian Sandoval (ABRS)
21-Nov-2012 01-May-2014 MODIFIED
29-Jun-2012 29-Jun-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)