El Aalaoui, M., Mokrini, F., Dababat, A.A., Lahlali, R., & Sbaghi, M. 2022 Moroccan entomopathogenic nematodes as potential biocontrol agents against Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae). Scientific Reports doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11709-4
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Notes: Five botanical extracts and one detergent were tested for the control of nymphs and adult females of D. opuntiae in laboratory bioassays and under field conditions in Morocco. Fourteen predators were found associated with D. opuntiae and identified22. Hyperaspis campestris (Herbst, 1783) was found to be the most important species associated with D. opuntiae in Morocco. Within biological control, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the families Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae are obligate pathogens of insects, associated with specific symbiotic bacteria belonging to the genera Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus respectively.
