Control of Prickly-Pear by the Cochineal Insect

Abstract

I HAVE read with interest the communications of Messrs. C. T. Jacob¹ and W. B. Alexander² on this subject. Referring to the introduction of the cochineal insect into India, the latter remarks: “In India, the offer was considered at a conference of the entomologists of the various provinces, and it was decided not to accept it, on the ground that prickly-pear was largely used for hedges, and that, where it threatened to become a pest, it could easily be eradicated, as abundant cheap labour was available”. I am constrained to state that neither the first part nor the latter portion of this statement describes the real facts. I may state that, though the Government was not very enthusiastic about the introduction of this new insect, it never had any conference of provincial entomologists or gave any such opinion regarding the necessity for, or the easy method of, eradicating prickly-pear when needed. In South India the prickly-pear has been felt to be a very serious pest and nuisance for years, and the Government has been spending a great deal of money in getting the same eradicated in various ways without any appreciable success until now. Nor has it ever been felt by any responsible person that “it could easily be eradicated, as abundant cheap labour was available”.