A recent scientific study has unveiled notable differences in the bacteria residing within cochineal insects found in the regions of Al-Hoceima and Marrakech. Moroccan researchers are optimistic that these findings may assist in developing future strategies to combat the pest that has caused extensive damage to cactus farming in the kingdom since its emergence over a decade ago.
The study, published in the journal “Frontiers in Microbiology,” indicates that cochineal insects collected from Al-Hoceima exhibit greater bacterial diversity compared to those sourced from Marrakech. This variation is evident in both the intestines and ovaries of adult females as well as in nymphs. However, this research transcends mere bacterial enumeration. The researchers aim to ascertain whether certain microorganisms contribute to the cochineal's feeding, growth, or reproduction, and consequently, whether disrupting these relationships could provide a new avenue for pest control.
Researchers from Mohammed VI Polytechnic University collected samples from various locations in Al-Hoceima, including Ait Hicham, Tamassint, and Tla Youssef, alongside samples from three sites in Marrakech. These samples underwent genetic analysis to identify the bacteria present within the insects. The team selected two geographically distinct regions characterized by differing climatic conditions; Al-Hoceima has a more humid Mediterranean climate, while Marrakech is dominated by a drier environment. This approach aimed to investigate the correlation between environmental factors and the bacterial composition of the pest.
The genetic tests yielded approximately 2.84 million readings, revealing that the Al-Hoceima samples were richer in bacterial species. Furthermore, there were observable differences in the dominant groups between the two regions and across different life stages of the insects. This diversity is significant as many insects rely on internal bacteria for vital functions. Consequently, researchers plan to advance from merely identifying “who lives inside the insect” to determining “what they do there.”
For instance, if specific bacteria are found to assist cochineal insects in acquiring nutrients that the insects cannot obtain independently or enhance their reproductive capabilities or environmental resilience, targeting these bacteria could potentially weaken the pest itself. However, the study does not yet provide a new treatment for cactus plants, nor does it confirm that the identified bacteria are responsible for the pest's proliferation. Researchers emphasize the need for functional studies to discern the role of each type of identified bacteria.
These findings emerge as Morocco continues its efforts to reclaim cactus areas lost since the arrival of the cochineal pest in the Sidi Bennour region in 2014, which subsequently spread to other production areas. The pest thrives on the plant in dense colonies, sucking its sap, which leads to yellowing, drying, and ultimately death of the plant under severe infestation. Its spread has severely impacted a crop that thrives in arid and semi-arid regions and provides income for farmers and cooperatives reliant on cactus fruits and derivatives.
Prior to the pest's impact, the area cultivated with cactus in Morocco exceeded 150,000 hectares, but the infestation has led to significant losses, prompting authorities to implement measures that include uprooting infected plants, using pesticides, and exploring resistant varieties. This initiative has yielded significant results, with the National Institute of Agricultural Research identifying eight resistant varieties, which became the foundation for the cactus replanting program.
According to the institute, Morocco produced over 16.3 million resistant seedlings between 2021 and 2025, with the national program targeting the replanting of 122,000 hectares by 2028, supported by investments nearing 1.4 billion dirhams. However, developing plants capable of withstanding pest attacks does not eliminate the need for methods to combat the pest itself, especially given the restrictions associated with relying on chemical pesticides and their environmental effects.
Consequently, scientists are concurrently exploring more targeted biological control methods. The new study places the bacteria associated with the pest among these possibilities, demonstrating that their composition is not uniform across all regions and that environmental factors are linked to their diversity. For Al-Hoceima, the abundance of bacterial species does not necessarily indicate that the insects there are more harmful than those in Marrakech; instead, it provides researchers with a broader array of potential interactions between the pest and the microbes that coexist with it.
The pivotal test in the forthcoming phase will be to determine whether severing one of these relationships genuinely affects the pest's ability to survive or reproduce. If experiments validate this hypothesis, Morocco could augment its resistant varieties with another strategy to combat cochineal pests, this time targeting one of the pest's biological needs rather than solely relying on pesticide applications.
As reported by tanja24.com.
