# Trends of Cochineal (Dactylopius coccus) Infestation as Affected by Armed Conflict, and Intervention Mechanisms for Sustainable Management in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

## TL;DR

Armed conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia, worsened cochineal infestation on cactus pear plants, and sustainable management strategies are proposed for post-war recovery.

## Contribution

This study links armed conflict to increased cochineal infestation and proposes sustainable management strategies for post-war cactus pear production.

## Key findings

- Cochineal infestation significantly increased during and after the Tigray war.
- Pest management activities were interrupted due to the conflict, leading to rapid infestation spread.
- The study recommends prevention, suppression, and eradication strategies for sustainable cactus pear production.

## Abstract

The cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a crucial plant in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, widely distributed in arid and semi-arid environments. It serves as a seasonal food, and is used in livestock feed, fencing, soil conservation, and environmental protection. Recently, the cactus pear populations in Tigray have been severely affected by an exotic insect, the cochineal (Dactylopius coccus). It damaged cactus pear populations in the region’s southern, southeastern, and eastern zones. The Tigray war that broke out in November 2020 exacerbated D. coccus infestation. A study was conducted in the eastern zone of Tigray to assess the impact of the armed conflict on the trends of this infestation and propose sustainable management approaches for sustainable cactus pear production in post-war Tigray. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed. The findings revealed that D. coccus infestation significantly increased during the war and in the post-war period, compared to in the pre-war period. The number of districts involved and level of D. coccus infestation of cactus pear populations increased. The rapid spread was attributed to the interruption of pest management activities due to the armed conflict. To mitigate the spread and ensure sustainable cactus pear production, this study recommends different management approaches to manage D. coccus dissemination and sustainably produce cactus pear in the region, including pest prevention, suppression, or eradication.