COCHINEALS ATTACK!

Cochineal is a small tick (5mm) which lives on Opuntia Ficus-Indica cactus. It sucks the juices of the plant and reproduces on the leaves. Only the wingless  female cochineal (Dactylopius coccus) sucks the plant liquids, while the male has wings and it's only purpose is reproduction. Cochineals has a nymh phase which lives together with the females and produces waxy white substance. The ancient Aztecs and Mayas used dried insects  for coloring clothes.
We had lot of Opuntia fig cactus here in Los Vives , but the cochineal plague has destroyed most of them.

 In the picture above ,waxy substance covered cochineals.Near the white square  flattened  insects with their carmine color.
   

FINCA SOFIA TEAM