SMALL BEETLE, BIG WAR!

Gradually the cochineal beetle has been winning the war against the invading jointed cactus plants on the hillside opposite our home. The thorns on these plants are vicious and painful to remove as each thorn has a minute barb. These beetles are aslo used to create the deep pink vegetable dye used to colour food. The white spots on the plants are created by the beeltles feeding on the moisture in the plant, causing it to dry up eventually.