The Battle Against Cochineal Insects Threatening Prickly Pear Cacti in North Africa
Amor Nouira, a farmer in Tunisia’s Chebika village, has been facing a devastating challenge with his prickly pear cacti. The cochineal insect, spreading across North Africa, has wreaked havoc on his half-hectare of cactus crops and about a third of the country’s cacti after an outbreak in 2021. This invasive insect has not only affected the livelihood of farmers like Nouira but has also caused significant economic losses for thousands of individuals reliant on prickly pear cultivation.
Prickly pear, also known as Opuntia, is a versatile plant used for food consumption, oils, cosmetics, and body-care products. In Tunisia, where about 150,000 families make a living from cultivating Opuntia, the impact of the cochineal infestation has been severe. The country is the world’s second-largest producer of prickly pear fruit after Mexico, with approximately 600,000 hectares of crops and an annual yield of about 550,000 tons. However, only a third of the production allocated for export has remained unaffected by the cochineal outbreak.
In neighboring Morocco, where the cochineal infestation was first reported in 2014, Opuntia cultivation covers a total of 160,000 hectares. Despite efforts by the Moroccan government to combat the spread of cochineal through various methods such as experimenting with chemicals and developing resistant plant variants, about 75 percent of Opuntia crops were infested by August 2022. Algeria also recorded an outbreak in 2021, highlighting the regional nature of the cochineal threat.
The cochineal insect and prickly pear plant are not native to North Africa, but the region’s dry climate has facilitated their spread. Tunisian entomologist Brahim Chermiti attributes the proliferation of cochineal to climate change, with increasing drought and high temperatures creating favorable conditions for reproduction. Chermiti emphasizes the importance of public safety measures to combat cochineal infestation, including strict border monitoring and public awareness campaigns.
To address the cochineal crisis, authorities in North Africa are exploring different strategies. In addition to developing cochineal-resistant Opuntia varieties, efforts are being made to introduce natural predators like the Hyperaspis trifurcata ladybird, which preys on cochineal insects. Farmers in Morocco have started raising the ladybird to combat potential outbreaks effectively. Tunisia recently received 100 ladybirds along with emergency funding from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to tackle the cochineal infestation.
The battle against cochineal insects threatening prickly pear cacti in North Africa is ongoing. Farmers like Amor Nouira continue to face challenges in safeguarding their cactus crops against this invasive pest. With collaborative efforts between governments, agricultural experts, and local communities, there is hope for finding sustainable solutions to protect Opuntia cultivation and preserve the livelihoods of those dependent on this valuable crop.