Barbera, G., Carimi, F., & Inglese, P. 1972 Past and present role of the Indian-fig prickly-pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller, Cactaceae) in the agriculture of Sicily.. Economic Botany 46(1): 10-20.
Notes: Opuntia ficus-indica is the most widespread and economically important cacti occurring in Sicily. The Sicilian experience is described with reference to the historical outlines and the present intensive production of late fruit. Information on historical and actual uses of the plan and its products (flowers, cladodes, fruits) is given. Among the various uses of these species, that of the greatest commercial interest was linked with the production of a red dye which was obtained from the body of a cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus Costa) the host of which is certain species of Opuntia. The fist quantities of the dye which arrived in Europe were so highly valued that soon an attempt at cultivation of prickly pear cacti was made in the Canary Islands where, on Lanzarote, the breeding of the cochineal is still carried out today.