Sarkisov, R.N., Mkrtchyan, L.P., & Zakharyan, V.A. 2001 A technique to obtain the eggs of the ararat cochineal.. Entomologica 33(1999): 273-274.
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Notes: [Special Issue: Proceedings of the ISSIS VIII International Symposium on Scale Insect Studies held at Wye College (U.K.), Aug. 31st - Sept. 6th, 1998.] Abstract only. Ararat cochineal (Porphyrophora sp.) produces a valuable, light-resistant red carmine dye. To protect this rare species and to increase its productivity, a technique for breeding it under artificial conditions has been developed. This has allowed a 5-6 times increase in body-mass yield and, therefore, of dye. The most laborious part of the technique is gathering the eggs during the spring and summer from wild plants for use in the greenhouse. We have improved this technique. We now use wooden boxes (50 x 50 x 15 cms), with the bottom covered with gauze. The boxes are filled with 10 cm of soil derived from cochineal areas. Adult male and female cochineal insects are then placed in the boxes. Once fertilized, the females dig themselves into the soil, form the ovisac and lay their eggs. After 30-50 days, the boxes are transferred to cochineal natural areas and dug into the ground, level with the soil surface. The boxes are then maintained under these field conditions from November through to February, so that the eggs hibernate under natural conditions. The boxes are then collected and transferred to the laboratory, where the eggs are collected and are either for the spring infection of plants or are kept in the refrigerator to infect plants in the summer. This has proved to be a very labour-saving technique.
