Cochineal Production under Different infestation Systems

To evaluate the appropriate infestation method for the production of large mealybug, Dactylopius coccus Costa, in Puebla, infestations on maize leaf was compared with commonly used methods: tenate, tulle bag, and gravity. The most dry weight of D. coccus per Opuntia ficus-indica (L) Mill. cladode (2.01 g) was the maize leaf method, followed by tenate. The second quality classification of cochineal grana, and the percentage of carminic acid was obtained with the tulle bag method, followed by the tenate method. The maize husk method could be a new option for cochineal producers.