Dispersal ability of the neonate instars of Dactylopius opuntiae (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae), a biological control agent of Opuntia stricta (Cactaceae) and the implicationsfor biocontrol in the Kruger National Park

Opuntia stricta is an invasive plant species that Kruger National Park (KNP) is
seeking to control by using the cochineal insect Dactylopius opuntiae. We studied
the dispersal ability of D. opuntiae during the crawler stage by collecting instars and
observing their angle and direction of movement towards or away from O. stricta.
Results show that the D. opuntiae instars disperse randomly and do not move towards
O. stricta cladodes. We conclude that the current method used by KNP for
controlling O. stricta is adequate, but the introduction and implementation of an
Integrated Pest Management plan (IPM) would further enhance the control of O.
stricta.
Samevatting: Opuntia stricta is? invallende plant specie wat die Kruger Nasionale Wildtuin
(KNW) wil beheer deur die verbruik van? cochenille insek Dactyloppius opuntia .
Ons het die verstrooiheid vermo van D. opuntia gedurende die kruiper fase
ondersoek, deur die versamelling van instars, en die hoek en rigting van hulle
beweging jeen en weg van O. stricta was opgemerk. Uitslae bewys dat die D.
opuntiae instars ewekansig verstrooi en hulle beweeg nie na die O. stricta cladodes
nie. Ons gevolgtrekking was dat die korent manier wat gebruik is deur KNW vir die
beheer van O. stricta voldoene is, maar dat die inleiding en implementasie van ?
integreerde pes bestuur plan die beheer van O. stricta verder sal verbeter.