This research offers an extensive molecular characterization of Dactylopius opuntiae populations from Palestine, utilizing three genetic markers (18S rRNA, COI, and 12S rRNA) in conjunction with RAPD-PCR analysis. The findings demonstrated pronounced genetic similarities across Palestinian isolates, corroborating the concept of a recent invasion or a shared ancestral origin. According to 18S rRNA sequences, Palestinian isolates exhibited 100% similarity among themselves and with several GenBank isolates, while their identities with D. confusus ranged from 99.8% to 100%, therefore affirming a highly proximate evolutionary link. Mitochondrial markers demonstrated marked enhanced discriminating power. The COI sequence similarity among Palestinian D. opuntiae isolates varied from 99.6% to 100%, but diminished to 87.9% to 89.4% with D. confusus, 78.5% to 79.6% with D. coccus, and 79.1% to 80.7% with D. tomentosus. Likewise, 12S rRNA study revealed identities ranging from 71.7% to 74.2% between D. opuntiae and D. tomentosus, indicating considerable evolutionary difference. Therefore, 12S rRNA marker offered stronger selective strength for species delimitation. RAPD-PCR produced 14 bands, with 78.6% exhibiting polymorphism, and categorized Palestinian isolates into four principal genetic groupings. The data indicate that mitochondrial markers are particularly efficient for species delimitation and phylogenetic reconstruction within Dactylopius genus. Therefore, the findings obtained in this study provide valuable molecular data that can enhance biological control initiatives, refine pest identification accuracy, and aid in the monitoring of invasion routes and population dispersion of D. opuntiae in agricultural settings.

Title

Bullitine Insectology

Publisher

Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences/University of Bologna

Publisher Country

Italy

Indexing

Thomson Reuters

Impact Factor

0.9

Publication Type

Online only

Volume

79

Year

2026

Pages

1-10