Klein, H., Zimmermann, H.G., & Xivuri, T. Exceptional biological control of two varieties of Cylindropuntia fulgida (Cactaceae) in South Africa using a recently-identified different biotype of the cochineal insect, Dactylopius tomentosus (Dactylopiidae). Biological Control 149: 104314
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Notes: Two distinct morphological varieties of Cylindropuntia fulgida are recognized in South Africa, viz. Cylindropuntia fulgida var. fulgida Engelm. (‘chain-fruit cholla’) and Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata (Schott ex Engelm.) Backeb. forma monstrosa Coult (‘boxing-glove cactus’). In 2008, a specific biotype - the ‘cholla’ biotype - of the cochineal insect,vDactylopius tomentosus (Lamark), that was obtained from Cylindropuntia cholla (F.A.C. Weber) F.M.Knuth in BajavCalifornia Sur in Mexico, was released on C. fulgida var. fulgida, and later, in 2011, on C. fulgida var. mamillata in South Africa. It has brought these cactus weeds under remarkably effective biological control.
