Efecto de la luz artificial a diferentes fotoperiodos sobre dos variables productivas de la grana cochinilla, Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) para su cultivo bajo condiciones controladas

Abstract

The effect of artificial light on the cycle of life and the concentration of carminic acid cochineal, Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) was studied under controlled conditions. Assays were performed in the laboratories of the Faculty of Natural Resources of the Universidad Arturo Prat (Chile) under conditions of 27.5 ± 2.5 °C temperature, 50 ± 10% relative humidity and photoperiod of 0:24, 4:20, 8:16, 12:12, 16:8 and 20:4 h L:D (light:dark). The results indicate that from the point of view of production the best results are obtained by subjecting the insect to a daily regimen of 16 hours of artificial light in the range of visible light (450-700 nm) thus obtaining a concentration of 23.6% of carminic acid within 94 days. These results indicate that the effect of artificial light is favorable to increase the concentration of carminic acid in cochineal raised in controlled conditions. D. coccus was unable to complete its life cycle with a photoperiod of 20 hours of light in the visible range.