Exploration of Adaptability of Cochineal(Dactylopius confusus) Based on Life Tables

The growth of the cochineal insect (Dactylopius confusus) in hot-dry valley, southern subtropical zone and mid subtropical zone was studied by using life tables and sample testing. The results showed that the cochineal insects growing in the southern subtropical zone were bigger, the eggs and weight of female adults were also intermediate among the three zones, and the population trend index was the biggest.The mid subtropical zone was also a good place for culturing the cochineal,though the insect culturing in this zone was the biggest and heaviest among the three zones, the life cycle was more longer and there were less generations per year. The cochineal could grow in hot-dry tropical zone, but the female adult was very small and light, so the tropical zone was not the ideal place for culturing the cochineal.In every climate zone,the key factors that affected the number of the cochineal population were eggs unhatched and strong rain during the 1st and 2nd instar. Mass natural enemies were not found in all experimental places.