Israel scientists target invasive pest devastating Cyprus’ prickly pears

Israeli scientists have released around 200 predatory beetles in Cyprus in order to save the island’s prickly pear trees from a destructive invasive species.

According to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Cyprus requested assistance from Israel’s agriculture ministry and the Volcani agricultural research institute to tackle Dactylopius opuntiae, an invasive insect which has destroyed up to 30 per cent of the island’s prickly pear crop since first being identified in 2016....