Campos Figueroa, M., & Llanderal-Cázares, C. 2003 Greenhouse production of cochineal insect Dactylopius coccus(Homoptera: Dactylopiidae).. Agrociencia (Agrociencia) Texcoo 37(2): 149-155.

Notes: A greenhouse was designed for the production of the cochineal Dactylopius coccus Costa on cut cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica. The greenhouse has an area of 8x5.4 m and is made of roof and walls of rigid plastic, as well as zenithal and lateral ventilation with mesh protection. The interior has three levels at 50 cm of distance among them, with a total capacity for 2180 cut cladodes. The design allows a minimum handling of temperature, relative humidity and ventilation; and also avoids the entrance of competitors and natural enemies of the cochineal, providing appropriate conditions for the production of the insect. Three forms of cladode accommodation were evaluated: hanging cladode in the usual position, inverted hanging cladode and cladode supported in a raffia net. The registered variables were the number of females per cladode and their fresh weight. Significant differences (p=0.05) were found only in the number of females per cladode, where the inverted hanging cladode was superior to the cladode in raffia net. In this greenhouse it is possible to produce at least 50 kg of cochineal per year in four generations, including one of winter, which is not possible to obtain at open field.