Thermal Effect of Microwave Radiation on <i>Dactylopius opuntiae</i> in Morocco and Coaxial Probe for Permittivity Measurements

Abstract

Dactylopius opuntiae (D. opuntiae), commonly referred to as cochineal scale insect or wild cochineal, poses a considerable risk to cactus plantations globally. Various control methods, including chemical pesticides and biological treatments, have been employed to control the D. opuntiae pest. This paper presents an innovative approach to use microwave radiation as a pest management method for D. opuntiae, in cactus plantations. This method stands out due to its advantages of selective treatment, chemical free, and no environmental impact. This research work details the use of plane wave for simulating the influence of microwave radiation using electromagnetic model, on cactus pear and three distinct stages of adult females of the D. opuntiae. The findings demonstrated that the distribution of thermal energy indicates the ability of electromagnetic radiation to raise D. opuntiae’s thermal energy above that of the cactus pear at various industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band frequencies. Additionally, the developed microwave heating system demonstrates the capability of microwave radiation at 2.45 GHz to eliminate various stages of adult D. opuntiae without harming the host plant’s quality. The study also explores the impact of adjusting input power and treatment duration to manage D. opuntiae effectively.