Firas Assad 1*, Ziad Chikh-Khamis2 and Mazen Bufaur3
1 General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Hama Research Center, Syria.
2 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Homs University, Syria.
3 General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Swedaa Research Center, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Firas Assad, Email: firasassad52@gmail.com, Mob.: 0988210995).
Received: 9/ 7/ 2025 Accepted: 23/ 11/ 2025
Abstract
The coccinellid Hyperaspis trifurcata (Schaeffer) is natural enemy (predator) associated with Opuntia cochineal scale insect Dactylopius opuntiae which damage Cactus in Syria. This research was carried out to study the potential of inoculative releases of H. trifurcata in Qatana region in rif-Dimashq-Syria. In 2021 season H. trifurcata was released in cactus field 1 in three points at 100 adults/point, when the infestation ratio in the two cactus fields 1 and 2 were in average; 32.4 and 35.4% respectively. The observation of Pedator population and infestation ratio in both fields were continued per three next seasons. The results showed that H. trifurcata had established in both cactus fields during 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons, it consumed different stages of D. opuntiae and reduced infestation ratio gradually. In field 1 the infestation ratio was in 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons in average; 34.78, 24.69 and 9.56% respectively. However, it was; 35.06, 25.87 and 14.51% those of field 2. The average number of H. trifurcata in 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons in field 1 was; 4.51, 3.35 and 1.6 adult/cladode respectively. However, it was; 2.97, 3.87 and 2.56 those of field 2, with positive correlation between predator population and infestation ratio. Based on these results, it was concluded that H. trifurcata had a potential in biological control of D. opuntiae under Syrian local environment.
Keywords: Hyperaspis trifurcate, Opuntia cochineal scale, Dactylopius opuntiae, cactus, biological control.
Full paper in Arabic: PDF