INTRODUCING THE CARMINE COCHINEAL, DACTYLOPIUS COCCUS COSTA, TO CACTUS PEAR PLANTATIONS IN TIGRAY, NORTHERN ETHIOPIA -  T. Belay1 & H. G. Zimmermann2
  
1Department of Dry Land Crops & Horticultural Science, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia 2 Helmuth Zimmermann & Associates, Faerie Glen, Pretoria 0043, South Africa

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. was introduced to Ethiopia some 150 years ago. Since then, it was widely grown in the province of Tigray, northern Ethiopia, where it has become an integral part of the local farming systems. In the eastern lowlands of Tigray it has also invaded thousands of hectares of land. One of the options to manage these rampant invasions involves the improved utilization of this abundant resource which includes the introduction of the carmine cochineal, Dactylopius coccus, for the production of red dye.  This cochineal feeds almost exclusively on O. ficus-indica cladodes, and the red colorant, or cochineal carmine, is extracted from the body fluids of the females. Carmine is a high quality natural red dye, widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. The demand for this natural dye in the western world is increasing since the banning of an increasing number of synthetic dyes. The present world price for dried insects is currently in the order of 15 – 20 US$ per kg. Four conditions favour the establishment of a cochineal industry in Tigray, namely: (1) cactus pear has become part of the culture and livelihood of the people, and a large proportion of the households in the eastern and southern zones of Tigray have cactus gardens or small cactus plantations; (2) the total absence of any significant insect pests or diseases; (3) low input costs  because the plants used for production of cochineal will mainly be existing wild-growing plantations and (4) wages are low compared to other countries. The carmine cochineal was introduced to the University of Mekelle in 2001 where it was first screened in quarantine before being released in experimental plots for further evaluation.  The insect performed well on the local varieties of cactus pear under protective cover, and further studies are underway to determine growth and development in the open and under local weather conditions. So far there are no records of natural enemies or predators feeding on the insect. There are also no indications that the insect feeds or develops on any other hosts besides O. ficus-indica.  The growth and development of the first experimental populations are encouraging and further field releases are planned for the near future. A lucrative cochineal industry in Tigray could provide much needed income to a large portion of the poverty stricken rural communities of this part of the country.