The Opuntia (Cactaceae) and Dactylopius (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) in Mexico: a historical perspective of use, interaction and distribution

Abstract

A historical perspective on the use and production of species of Dactylopius (Hemipetera: Dactylopiidae) and Opuntia (Cactaceae: Opuntioidae), information on their origin, diversity and distribution in Mexico are reviewed, and aspects of their conservation are discussed. The use and exploitation of both genera are part of Mexican cultures since prehistory. Opuntia species were among the main components of human diet during preagricultural times. Cochineal was used and probably cultivated at least from the Tenth century. During the colonial period, cochineal generated significant benefits to the Spaniard colonizers and Mexico was the world's first producer of insects and dyes until the mid Nineteenth century. Currently, Mexico is the main producer of Opuntia cladodes and prickly pear, but cochineal cultivation is marginal and only maintained in traditional indigenous systems. Mexico is one of the main areas of diversity of Opuntia, having 83-104 out of nearly 200 species worldwide. More than 50 species are used mainly as food, fodder and medicine and 20 species are cultivated with different degrees of domestication. The genus Dactylopius includes nine species, with five of them naturally occurring in Mexico. Only D. coccus has been cultivated and domesticated but other wild species have been used throughout history. Arid and semiarid areas of Mexico are among the most important reservoirs of biological diversity for both genera, particularly for D. coccus. Specific measures for protection of such biodiversity and generic resources are required. Strategies for in situ conservation combined with re-established use and cochineal production may enhance conservation policies.

Toward unfolding bioeconomy of nopal (Opuntia spp.)

“…5 The world's greatest diversity of cactus pear species and cultivars are located in Mexico, considered one of the two centers of origin and dispersal of the genus (Márquez-Berber et al, 2012). 6 A total of 83 Opuntia species have been reported in Mexico, 7,8 where nearly half of them are endemic to it. 6 Some reports describe the presence of nopal plants in Mesoamerica since the arrival of humans 20,000 years ago, specifically in the desert and semi-desert regions, where they were important sources of food, beverages and medicines for indigenous people.…”

“…8 During the domestication process of Opuntia, the continuous and systematic gathering of nopalitos and fruit favored exceptional features. It is likely that in the case of Opuntia fruits, known as prickly pears or "tunas" in Spanish, this process enhanced its flavor, size, shape, pulp texture, and decreased the seed hardness and seed quantity.…”

Biomass characterization of Agave and Opuntia as potential biofuel feedstocks

“…Although more information is needed from field trials to model the biomass production associated with the water-wise feedstocks [19,20], productivity estimates from immediately available land suggest that an additional 6.1 hm 3 of lignocellulosic ethanol production could be produced with minimal impacts on the environment [11]. Similarly, Opuntia originates from the Americas with its center of diversity in Mexico [21], but it has been introduced worldwide with major production occurring in Algeria (and other northern African nations), Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Italy [22,23]. Opuntia species are cultivated primarily for commercial fodder and forage in semi-arid regions worldwide [24,25].…”

Weed biological control in the European Union: from serendipity to strategy

“…One of its natural enemies, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), is a sap-sucking insect, commonly known as a cochineal. Nine species are known from the Americas (De Lotto 1974;Guerra 1991) and five have been reported from Mexico (Chávez-Moreno et al 2009). All of them feed on cacti (Mann 1969;De Lotto 1974) and exhibit marked host specificity.…”