150,000 ladybugs have been released in Northern Israel in an effort to save Israel’s iconic “sabra” prickly pear cactus from a voracious aphid that threatens to render it extinct in a number of regions of the country.
The ferocious scale insect is spreading and is threatening Sabra bushes.
Recently several Sabra shrubs were observed to be infected by a white parasite in the Hula Valley. Experts from the Volcani Center and Keren Kayemeyth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) identified the culprit as a scale insect named "Etzbarit" (from the Hebrew word Tzabar that describes the prickly pear genus but also from its national significance of native Israeli) or by scientific nomenclature as Dactylopius opuntiae, known as a destructive species that was utilized for management of prickly pear bushes in South America and Australia.
The Sabra bush was imported to Israel some 200 years ago and became an identification mark not only of the Israeli terrain but also as national symbol and icon of the country.
Professionals which examined the damage made by the Etzbarit clarified that immediate action needs to be taken to prevent its spread which could threaten Sabra plants throughout the country and thereby destroy the prickly pear sector.
KKL-JNF, along with researchers of the Volcani Center, and the Ministry of Agriculture, spotted a species of ladybird that will eliminate the scale insect population and curb its spread.
Parallel to the process of importing specific natural enemies for the Etzbarit and their acclimatization in Israel, the predatory beetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri was chosen. This beetle is a species of ladybug, which was acclimatized in Israel decades ago to curb the aphid populations. Laboratory experiments found that "Cryptolaemus montrouzieri" is an effective means for this purpose.
In an emergency operation, the Volcani Center researchers and KKL-JNF foresters have released 150,000 "Cryptolaemus montrouzieri" beetles which were raised in “Bio – Bi”, for this purpose, at areas of prickly pear cactus plant in Northern Israel.