Biological Control of Cactaceae in South Africa

Paterson, Iain D.; Klein, Hildegard; Muskett, P.C.; Griffith, Tamzin C.; Mayonde, Samalesu; Mofokeng, K.; Mnqeta, Z.; Venter, Nic

doi:10.4001/003.029.0713

Cited by 19 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…It is the only region outside of South America where the naturalized presence of O. megapotamica Arechav. has been verified, based first on images available in GBIF and recently published (Paterson et al, 2021). Although Paterson et al (2021) report many South-African sites for O. elata and this species was recognized as one of the most problematic Cactaceae (Henderson & Wilson, 2017), the images available look like O. canterae.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

On the identity of Opuntia elata s.l. (Cactaceae) introduced in the Mediterranean region. A taxonomic and nomenclatural update

Aymerich¹,

Font

2022

Mediterr. Bot.

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Opuntia elata and O. monacantha are the two species of Opuntia Series Armatae traditionally accepted as naturalized in the Mediterranean region and Europe. However, a review based on the analysis of the available images and on the criteria of the most recent taxonomic proposals shows that O. elata s.s. is not present. The plants so far assigned to O. elata belong to O. bonaerensis, a clearly differentiated species, or to O. rioplatensis and O. canterae, both species similar to O. elata and recently segregated. The situation looks similar for South Africa and Australia, where the iconography shows other species of this group but not O. elata in the strict sense.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

On the identity of Opuntia elata s.l. (Cactaceae) introduced in the Mediterranean region. A taxonomic and nomenclatural update

Aymerich¹,

Font

2022

Mediterr. Bot.

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“…However, in Asian countries, this invasiveness has been stated in terms of environmental values (Srivastava et al, 2014). From the previous work of (Padrón et al, 2011; Paterson et al, 2011), they have focused on Opuntia species, which contains introduced invasive species in Cactaceae.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morpho‐palynological and anatomical studies in desert cacti (Opuntia dillenii and Opuntia monacantha) using light and scanning electron microscopy

Majeed

Zafar

Ahmad

et al. 2022

Microscopy Res & Technique

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Opuntia is the most diverse and widely distributed drought resistant promising genus of family Cactaceae. The cladodes were utilized to quantify the chemical composition of these plants helpful in lignocellulose conversion and their application towards biofuel production. The present study was aimed to evaluate and compare the taxonomic relationship based on morphology, stem anatomy and palynology of important desert cacti including Opuntia dillenii and Opuntia monacantha. This study also evaluates the potential usefulness of morphological, anatomical and pollen traits using light and scanning electron microscopy. The obtained microcharacters of stem and flowers are considered diagnostic at the generic and specific levels. Some distinguishing morphological features observed were elliptical to obovate cladodes, 1-7 spines per areole and presence of glochidia in O. dillenii. Pollen and stem anatomical characters of the studied taxa are considered highly diagnostic at the generic and species levels. The epidermis has irregular and wavy cells, with straight to sinuate wall pattern and paracytic stomata. Pollen grains appear as pantoporate and prolate spheroidal having reticulate to perforate-reticulate sculpturing while exine semi-tectate to tectate. The taxonomic features studied could be valuable to elaborate and helpful in correctly identification of Opuntia species. The methods of diverse microscopic examination also providing sufficient evidence about the taxonomy of the Opuntia species. Research Highlights• Description and illustration of desert cacti Opuntia.• Morpho-anatomy and palynology were studied with LM and SEM.• Highly variation in taxonomic qualitative and quantitative features.• Systematic significance based on taxonomic characters was presented.

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“…Opuntia and cochineal introductions have long spurred conflicts of interest since prickly pear is considered a valuable plant in the Middle East and North Africa. For example, Opuntia is a forage and fruit crop in Morocco and a dry‐adapted hedgerow species of cultural significance in Israel (Bouharroud et al, 2019; Mendel et al, 2020; Paterson et al, 2021; Paterson & Witt, 2022; Spodek et al, 2013). A recent invasion of Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) in Israel, Lebanon, and Morocco caused significant cactus mortality in plantations and landscapes (Bouharroud et al, 2019; Spodek et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, prickly pear species are invasive plant pests of rangeland in several areas, including Kenya, Southern Africa, India, and Australia. In these locations, cochineal species have been important classical biological control agents for the cactus (Annecke & Moran, 1978; Novoa et al, 2019; Paterson et al, 2021; Paterson & Witt, 2022; Witt et al, 2020). In parts of Africa, the establishment of introduced predators of cochineal elsewhere on the continent poses a potential threat to the management of prickly pear (Paterson & Witt, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hiding in plain sight: Cryptic enemies are found on cochineal (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), a scale insect of economic and cultural significance

Kelly

Moore

Hall

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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Cochineal is the common name for cactus‐feeding scale insects in the Dactylopiidae. These ruby‐red insects include the domesticated dye insect Dactylopius coccus . Dactylopius coccus and congeners have been introduced around the world, some accidentally, to become pests of prickly pear cactus species ( Opuntia ), and some intentionally, for dye production or biological control of pest Opuntia. In the northern Sonoran Desert (Tucson, AZ, USA), we studied the enemy complex of D. opuntiae and D. confusus on Opuntia and characterized two cryptic enemies, a coccinellid beetle predator and a parasitoid wasp. (1) Hyperaspis sp . The coccinellid predator Hyperaspis trifurcata shares a niche with a similar, typically all‐black beetle. Morphological data, crossing tests, and phylogenetic results showed the black beetle to be a distinct, undescribed species in the genus Hyperaspis , with a rare spotted phenotype that is similar in appearance to H. trifurcata. Crossing tests among black and spotted forms showed the spotted morph is inherited as a single‐locus dominant allele. (2) Formicencyrtus thoreauini. Rearing of this ant‐like parasitoid wasp (Encyrtidae) in pure culture of D. opuntiae showed it to be a semi‐gregarious primary parasitoid of cochineal . To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed instance of a cochineal parasitoid. Observations of development show early instar larvae keep their posterior end within the egg chorion, attached to an aeroscopic plate with a connection to the cochineal body wall. Late instar larvae are eventually surrounded by a membrane, likely of larval origin. Wasps then pupate in a dry air‐filled chamber within the desiccated scale remains before chewing out as an adult. Both Hyperaspis sp. and F. thoreauini may have restricted distributions. Hyperaspis sp. does not appear to be a member of the cochineal community in Mexico or Texas, and scant records suggest F. thoreauini may also be restricted to the Southwestern USA.

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Biological Control of Cactaceae in South Africa

Cited by 19 publications

References 53 publications

On the identity of Opuntia elata s.l. (Cactaceae) introduced in the Mediterranean region. A taxonomic and nomenclatural update

On the identity of Opuntia elata s.l. (Cactaceae) introduced in the Mediterranean region. A taxonomic and nomenclatural update

Morpho‐palynological and anatomical studies in desert cacti (Opuntia dillenii and Opuntia monacantha) using light and scanning electron microscopy

Hiding in plain sight: Cryptic enemies are found on cochineal (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), a scale insect of economic and cultural significance

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