Rodriguez, L.C., Faúndez, E., Seymour, J., Escobar, C.A., Espinoza, L., Petroutsa, M., Ayres, A., & Niemeyer, H.M. 2005 Factores bióticos y concentración de ácido carmínico en la cochinilla (Dactylopius coccus Costa) (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae). [Biotic factors and concentration of carminic acid in cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus Costa)(Homoptera: Dactylopiidae)]. Agricultura Técnica. Chile 65(3): 323-329.

Notes: [Biotic factors and concentration of carminic acid in cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus Costa) (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae).] The cochineal insect Dactylopius coccus develops on the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica), and is exploited for its capacity to produce natural dyes such as carminic acid (CAC). Cochineal insects were introduced in Chile in 1989, and exports of dry cochineal began in 1994 and grew to cover 15% of the world market. However, the current price of dry cochineal is nearing production costs. Hence, it is necessary to increase yields without increasing costs. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of biotic factors on the concentration of CAC in cochineal insects. CAC was positively affected by the density of cochineal insects around the plant, plant age, and by the nutritional status of the plant, and was negatively affected by the age of the cladode. Additionally, CAC was significantly affected by season: 16.9% of dry weight in the autumn and 19.1% in the spring. This knowledge may be used in designing cultural strategies to increase CAC accumulation in cochineal insects.