A recent scientific study has revealed significant differences in the bacteria residing within cochineal insects found in the regions of Al-Hoceima and Marrakech. These findings, which researchers in Morocco hope will contribute to the development of effective pest control methods, come in response to the extensive damage that cochineal infestations have inflicted on cactus farming in the country over the past decade.
The study, published in the journal "Frontiers in Microbiology," indicates that cochineal insects collected from Al-Hoceima exhibit a greater bacterial diversity compared to those from Marrakech. This was observed not only in the intestines and ovaries of adult females but also among the nymphs. The researchers aim to delve deeper than mere bacterial enumeration; their ultimate goal is to determine whether certain microorganisms aid the cochineal in feeding, growth, or reproduction. If this connection is disrupted, it may provide a novel avenue for pest management.
Researchers from the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University collected samples from various locations within Al-Hoceima, including Ait Hicham, Tamassint, and Tla Youssef, alongside samples from three sites in Marrakech. Genetic analysis was then performed to identify the bacteria present within the insects. The team strategically selected two climatically distinct areas for comparison. Al-Hoceima is characterized by a more humid Mediterranean climate, while Marrakech experiences a drier environment, which allowed researchers to explore the relationship between environmental conditions and the bacterial composition of the pest.
The genetic tests produced approximately 2.84 million reads, revealing that samples from Al-Hoceima were richer in bacterial types, with notable differences in dominant groups between the two regions and at various stages of the insect's life cycle. This discrepancy is crucial because many insects depend on the bacteria residing within their bodies to support essential life functions. Therefore, researchers aim to transition from merely understanding "who lives inside the insect" to identifying "what these organisms do there." For instance, if specific bacteria are found to assist cochineal insects in obtaining nutrients they cannot independently supply, or if they enhance reproductive capabilities or environmental resilience, targeting these bacteria could undermine the pest itself.
However, the study does not currently propose a new treatment for cactus plants, nor does it establish that the identified bacteria are responsible for the insect's ability to proliferate. Researchers emphasize the need for functional studies to ascertain the role of each bacterial species discovered. These findings emerge as Morocco strives to reclaim cactus areas lost since the cochineal insect first appeared in the Sidi Bennour region in 2014, before spreading to other production areas.
The cochineal feeds on the plant in dense colonies, sucking its sap, which leads to yellowing, drying, and eventual death of the plant as the infestation worsens. This spread has severely impacted a crop that thrives in arid and semi-arid regions, providing income for farmers and cooperatives reliant on cactus fruits and derivatives. Prior to the infestation, the area cultivated with cacti in Morocco exceeded 150,000 hectares; however, extensive losses have prompted authorities to implement measures such as uprooting infected plants, applying pesticides, and researching resilient plant varieties.
Significant advancements have been made in this regard, with the National Institute for Agricultural Research identifying eight resistant varieties, which subsequently formed the basis for a cactus replanting program. According to the institute, Morocco produced over 16.3 million resistant seedlings between 2021 and 2025, with the national program aiming to replant 122,000 hectares by 2028, involving investments of nearly 1.4 billion dirhams.
Nevertheless, developing plants capable of withstanding pest attacks does not eliminate the search for methods to combat the pest itself, particularly given the restrictions associated with reliance on chemical pesticides and their environmental impacts. Consequently, scientists are concurrently exploring more targeted biological control measures. The new study places the bacteria associated with the cochineal insect within these possibilities, having demonstrated that its composition varies across regions and is linked to environmental factors.
For Al-Hoceima, the abundance of bacterial types does not necessarily imply that the cochineal insects there are more dangerous than those in Marrakech; rather, it provides researchers with a broader array of potential interactions between the pest and the microbes living alongside it. The critical test in the next phase will be to determine whether severing one of these relationships genuinely affects the insect's survival or reproductive capacity. Should experiments confirm this, Morocco may add another method to its arsenal against cochineal pests, targeting one of their biological needs rather than solely relying on pesticide applications.
As reported by tanja24.com.
