Hygroscopic Method and Composition for the Control of Dactylopius coccus Infestation in Prickly Pear Cultivation (Opuntia Species)

Abstract

The present invention introduces a hygroscopic pest control strategy designed to overcome the limitations of existing methods. The strategy uses glycerol, a hygroscopic substance, to disrupt the insect's waxy coating by attracting and absorbing moisture. This disruption increases the permeability of the coating, allowing more effective penetration of other active ingredients such as potassium hydroxide, alcohol, esters, and liquid soap. The composition for this method includes: ■ 3.5% Glycerol ■ 0.6% Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) ■ 0.6% Esters ■ 0.7% Alcohol ■ 0.6% Liquid Soap ■ 94% Water. This composition is applied using a sprayer, where one liter of the solution is used to treat a volume of one cubic meter of prickly pear trees (Opuntia species). The solution works by weakening the insect's waxy coating, allowing the active ingredients to penetrate and disrupt the physiological processes of Dactylopius coccus, thus effectively controlling the infestation.