ES2351752B2 - INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION PROCESS OF COCHINILLA DEL CARMÍN. - Google Patents

Abstract

Cochineal industrial production process of the carmine.

A cycle industrial process is described closed carmine cochineal production that guarantees a constant supply of cochineal and standard quality offering as minimum, a content around 23% of carminic acid in the product.

The process includes the planting stages of host plant, collection of the same, infection with the insect useful, growth and maturation of this one, insect collection, subsequent screening and processing; and is based on the use of a greenhouse for insect development controlling all the growth process through humidity regulation relative, temperature, radiation and lighting.

Description

Cochineal industrial production process of the carmine.

Technical sector

Agroforestry Engineering Industrial processes. Agri-food production processes.

Introduction

In the world market of cochineal grana (carmine base material) are produced approximately 500 tons (MT) per year, with estimated value in 35-50 million US dollars. Of this amount Peru produces around 400 per year, which corresponds to 85% of the total, following in importance, with 10% the Canary Islands and in the remaining 5% participate Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador.

Peru is the world's leading producer of cochineal, which could lead to the assumption that for production they use industrial techniques, however this is not so, since the large quantities for export are the result of a process of collection of farmers and mostly by children and women.

The cochineal of the Canary Islands is famous international for its quality, but it is exported in its entirety being elaborated industrially in other locations, leaving perceive the economic benefit of such transformation. To propose the creation in the Canary Islands of a manufacturing industry with success, it is required to guarantee a constant supply of cochineal, and of standard quality offering a minimum of content around the 23% carmine acid in the product.

State of the art

The present invention relates to a system capable of obtaining by means of intensive rearing on tunera leaves ( Opuntia ficus sp.) As a host (support and nutritional source) the insect known as carmine cochineal ( Dactylopius coccus ) providing the optimum conditions for its growth and development, by controlling the temperature and relative humidity, while avoiding the harmful effects that occur, both rainfall, wind and excessive direct sunlight, which achieve significant improvements in relation to with the methods of obtaining known until now. The improvements refer to the continuous breeding process throughout the year and without interruptions due to weather conditions that strongly limit the spontaneous weathering process.

Multiple are known since ancient times dye applications of cochineal that extend from their use as a fabric dye, as well as its multiple food applications since it is a dye not Toxic (E-120) admitted by the European Union and the Food and Drug Administration of the United States. I also know widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and as marker for analysis and laboratory experiments.

The process of obtaining cochineal from carmine is currently based on the natural collection of insect on the pencas or leaves of the wild tunera. In the the vast majority of cases are about collecting over plants of spontaneous growth and not coming from cultivation. There are some exceptions such as in the municipalities of Mala and Guatiza in Lanzarote, and more recently in some plantations Experiences from the Canary Islands, Chile and Peru, where the tunera is "cultivate" with a series of attention of a crop, such as pruning, subscriber, etc.

Known practices continue through the field infestation, as well as the breeding of the insect on the plant. The process concludes with the collection on infested plants naturally, or through the use of any of the systems of known infestation aid. It takes place, in the case of Canary Islands, between the months of April-May to October November. Collectors know that after the collection of an area three months must pass until a new "scraping" of the sheets can occur for Collect the next generation of cochineal. Scraping is done using a small saucepan or large spoon to collect the females adults of the insect, which are those that contain in their hemolymph the Colorant.

The other previous descriptions that refer to the breeding of cochineal in a greenhouse like that of D. José Viera 1968 where reference is made to two fundamental aspects, in nothing coinciding with the process described here.

First, a portable greenhouse is used to collect leaves in situ (line 57 and ss.) To transport them and "... deposit these blades already at destination, in suitable greenhouses ...". The process described here uses a single greenhouse where growth conditions are regulated and controlled and structured in stages. In addition, in the cited publication, it exposes the collection of "... leaves in which there is a plague of this insect ..." (line 120 et seq.). In the case described here, only healthy and insect-free leaves are collected, because it is in a subsequent process and inside the greenhouse where the infection is controlled in optimal numbers; with selected offspring and of uniform age; with a spatial distribution of them; and with the desired insect species.

Like other recent international backgrounds we have the work of Manuel Campos-Figueroa and Celina Llanderal-Cázares "Production of cochineal grana ( Dactylopius coccus ) in the greenhouse". It is the design of a small greenhouse of dimensions 8x5.4 m. Inside it has two modules of 2.2 m. wide by 6 long and houses 2180 cut pencas and see that it is more productive than doing it outdoors.

The experiment cited is far from the process productive described here, because it does not refer to stages of collection, infestation and controlled growth according to certain parameters

Manuel's aforementioned work Campos-Figueroa and Celina Llanderal-Cázares, performs an experiment in a test greenhouse of very small dimensions, and in which it is virtually impossible to claim effective climate control, since that by including very few cubic meters of air, with a surface comparatively high outside temperature fluctuations outside are transmitted almost simultaneously to the inside, with mass of very reduced air and very little thermal inertia of the whole. The row-wall separation makes its impossible mechanization, and the operations that will be carried out (which are not describe) should be all manual, slow and with little result effectiveness.

The system proposed by the authors does not have for the purpose of showing a productive process but simply idea to study whether the cover protects the insect inside.

In this experience three forms of arrange the pencas: they hang in one position, they hang in the inverted position; or they are supported horizontally on a network of raffia.

The proposed infestation procedure in This request is nothing related to the one followed by referred authors: where 15 female mealybugs were distributed by penca, after 15 days, once the nymphs are established, females removed, etc. following a less efficient sequence which will be presented in this document.

On the other hand, the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Mexico published a document entitled "Grana production cochineal ", where a series of recommendations are given to raise open-air mealybug, in microtunel, and in the greenhouse. He responsible for the record, M.C. Gildardo Aquino Pérez, exposes a series of guides for the farmer who decides on one or the other breeding system A system of cut pencas is proposed that does not take advantage of the greenhouse in height and prevents the access of operators to the central pencas, a viability does not follow practice of the hanging system and its distribution according to the description provided, in addition, the support system is little consistent, no supporting pillars are observed. It detaches from the document reading various problems such as: that the system produces a darkening not recommended in the lower strata (insects flee spontaneously from shady areas, in search of of cladodes or leaves more exposed to light, fresh and juicy); the Recommended density is 66 pencas per square meter and 198 pencas in three strata and 10692 pencas in a greenhouse of one ha (10000 m2), which means a low density and therefore a poor use of the greenhouse installation.

On the other hand, the infestation system described in this document raises two options: The first one, place the nests containing the breeding foot and leaving them oviposit until the breeding females die. The second case is refers to filling nests with enough cochineal, to infest the penalties and rotate them at least 6 penalties per nest, in this case, they leave changing to new penalties every third or fourth day depending on that the adequate infestation of the cladode is achieved. Said system, In addition to being inefficient, it requires a lot of manipulation and therefore hand of work, lengthening the process of fixing the offspring that also They stagnate in time, which leads to undesirable maturation staggered

In our case, we propose a system that allows infection (fixation of the offspring) in a single process, and with offspring of the same age, which represents the advantage of saving time and labor, and also the process of growth and maturation is uniform, allowing a uniform collection of the insects in their optimal phase of evolution.

According to the author, regarding the placement of the cladodes, if the breeding is with cut penca, the cladodes infested should not be moved at least one week before placing in the final place, but if it is with standing plant then only the nest must be changed to other cladodes of the same plant. All this entails new manipulations, costly in labor and harmful for the fixation of small insects that, in the nature are not disturbed by similar actions, since if fixation is very weak, it is easy to detach during any of the processes, lowering the productive yield.

In our case, being a cycle closed, you have the advantage that every week there is a part from the greenhouse that can be collected; to later replenish with new cladodes, infested in the same period of time, and that will mature simultaneously too. This ensures the supply of raw material in known quantities and qualities of beforehand, which allow the processing industry a continuous and efficient planning and operation.

On the other hand, the collection system that the author proposes is based on a mechanical sweep with brush or brush, which can (in fact does) damage the young and produce lesions in the abdominal wall of the insect where its escape hemolymph rich in carminic acid that we pursue, with all disadvantages that entails, in addition to dirtying utensils and the Operators themselves. In our case, a drag system is used by fluid that will be described later.

Finally, the document proposes the insect sacrifice by introduction into bags and expose them to the sun for a period of two hours. Then he says that drying can be extended up to five days (120 hours) far away that of the optimum. In our case, the entire process of eliminating bagging sacrifice; insect drying; new rehydration of dead insect to drag by hot water or steam the dye that is water soluble; etc. long in time and expensive in labor force, because industrial processing starts immediately and after the last stage, instead of exposing it to hours to the sun or heat source in which the insect is dehydrated and die slowly. As our industrial process is proposed the insect can go directly through a crushing process mechanical and then wash or extract the dye that contains, with a much smaller amount of water than required when the insect is dry. Subsequently, said solvent (water) in a simpler and cheaper process.

Continuing with the background check, FUNDACION PRODUCE OAXACA AC edited an informative document with illustrations and photos of various products, including the cactus ( Opuntia ficus indica ) and its nutritional applications for consumption as a vegetable and also refers to Pitaya as fruit Edible and others. This document dedicates a chapter to the "grana or cochineal", where when referring to the production of cochineal under a shed, it defines the "Nopaloteca" as the construction of a module with materials from the region, such as wood and reed or covering it with "nursery plastic".

For the infestation it indicates that "when they are next to calve they get off the cactus, they are collected in hollow reeds and they are placed in nests which are made of palm with tissue open to facilitate the exit of the young, or in case blanket from heaven (gauze) ".

The system is very old and known; and went improved on the island of Lanzarote for generations with bags of tissue containing the offspring, which could escape the same to look for by its means in the tunera cultivated in the countryside. It has no relationship with the system we propose in this application.

He continues commenting that when the offspring have installed in the pencas you have to cover these with "tepexco" to prevent the wind from dragging them. Again the system that We propose to avoid this whole process.

It is also proposed that females be harvested using a reed reed and deposited in baskets or baskets, which differs from our collection stage.

Another document published in 2001 by the University of Guadalajara, in Mexico, by authors Portillo, L. and Vigueras G., A.L. and titled "Grana Breeding Manual cochineal, "describes the use of two forms of cultivation for cochineal breeding, the first in established plant, used by some farmers at a family level, and the second one in cladodio (penca) cut to protect the insect in sheds.

Cite the possible breeding of this insect in microtunnels, sheds or caps. These are made with reed, wood, logs and roof made of polyclone, shade mesh, palm bag, etc., without describing a closed cycle process and only when referring to the infestation indicates: "The infestation It can be artificial or natural. The artificial one is that mediated by man, where nests are mainly used according to various methodology "(Ricci, tulle bag, nest, penca at the foot, cotton cloth, thinned mealybug, penca infester, tray with millimeter mesh, etc.) (Supply 1993). The most recommended methods In the literature they are mentioned below:

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Have yourself (Oaxacan method, through "nests").

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Bag of tulle (Peruvian method).

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Ricci The infestations of the Ricci method consists of making a small incision in the middle third of the triangular shaped cladode of 2x2x2 cm by 0.5 cm deep, which after healing serves as support for oviplen females (OV) and their oviposturas (Portillo, Vigueras and Zamarripa, 1992).

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Penca at the bottom: The penca-seed is placed between 2 pencas; so that it is protected from the sun and wind holding on to a cord or with thorns. The infestation process occurs when oviposit the females fixed on the penca.

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Cloth or cotton. In this method cloths and / or cotton are used on fresh oviplena cochineal, since when ovipositar the young rise by the cloth being trapped; then these cloths can be taken and attached to the plants to be infested (TUKUYPAJ 1993);

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Nest of cane: Raleó de Cochinilla. It consists of harvesting OV mealybugs leaving 10 per cladode, the reproduction is considerable in 100% (TUKUYPAJ 1993);

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Penca infester; Tray with millimeter mesh. It is made in a frame wooden 10 x 90 cm, with four legs forming with mesh millimeter

As we see, it extends especially in a only aspect that may be related to a modern system of breeding: the appearance of the infestation, but offers no solution that does not be variations on the old systems known to do so. In our procedure two consistent phases are proposed: first, pick up by fluid drag, and in it operation, adult females and offspring, separating them simultaneously when picked up on sieves or sieves different grid size, and the second one, carry out the infection through a system consisting of tearing the surface of both sides of the cladode using a barbed brush, which allows that a small amount of sap appears on the outside on which the offspring are fixed. With this you get several advantages, of Among those that stand out: the speed of the process; Undemanding in labor; the uniform arrangement of insects in cladode surface; infestation in a single process with insects of the same age that evolve simultaneously until the maturity, giving maximum efficiency in the collection process.

In short, as seen from a review of the state of the art, the concept in general terms of "production" of cochineal or cochineal grana as it is called in Spain and South America respectively, it is related to processes that lead to the obtaining and sale of this product, but an industrial procedure is not described, since, obtaining of the insect is carried out by simple spontaneous collection where it's found.

The mass production attempts employed to date they have tried to fundamentally improve issues concerning the planting of the host plant and the adoption of Simple methods to favor their spontaneous infestation. The outdoor planting concentrates in the space the plants that they can serve as food for the insect and present a contribution or relatively simple improvement over insect collection wild in nature where plants are scattered in wide geographical areas.

Regarding the "natural" breeding process Technical advantages provided are based on some experiments of insect protection carried out at the level of centers research, based on the additional protection required in this continent due to the presence of natural enemies of Useful insect, as well as protection against other competitors (insects similar to cochineal), but without dyeing capacity; Y thirdly avoid the adverse weather conditions of some large regions through the use of greenhouses.

However, the description of a industrial production procedure like the one presented here based on a controlled parameter enclosure and where it is completed its cycle without leaving the farm, from breeding, feeding, health, collection, sacrifice and processing.

This industrial process is divided into stages ensuring uninterrupted, efficient and efficient mealybug production of established quantity and quality, which can be calculated and predefine, and allows the development of an associated industry to obtaining the commercial cochineal carmine product as a base of food additives (E-120), colorants, and dyes for its different industrial applications.

Description of the figures

Figure 1: 1.1.- Section or longitudinal section of the cladode to separate it into two halves; 1.2.- Sowing in the field; 1.3.- Beginning of the emission of roots; 1.4.-Rooting and emission of the first shoots (cladodes).

Figure 2: 2.1 Plant at the time of starting the cladode harvest. 2.2.- Sections that are practiced to Pick up the pencas. 2.3.-In the sections practiced the sprout induction 2.4.- Issuance of new cladodes.

Figure 3: 3.1.- Useful with sharp spikes for produce superficial incisions to the cladode. 3.2.- Incisions crossed in two directions, practiced on both sides of the cladode.

Figure 4: Hook for hanging the cladode of the support cable The cladode plane is perpendicular to the cable. 4.1.- Front view of the cable with cladode section. 4.2.- View axial cable with the cladode suspended.

Figure 5: Detail of the supporting structure of the cladode support cable. 5.1.- The cable (A) crosses the tubular structure of galvanized iron (B), and to prevent rubbing With the walls of this, it rests on the bolt or through bolt (C). 5.2.- Section with elevation view of the tubular support of the structure and axial view of the bolt. 5.3.- Cable perspective, structural support and bolt. 5.4.- Section of the assembly with a view in plant of the tubular support of the structure.

Figure 6: An application perspective industrial with bearing structures in "Y", in which they are observed the cables of the cladodes and the anchor to the ground of the cables at the ends of each structure alignment.

Figure 7: Virtual recreation of a structure bearing in the form of a vertical "Trident", where the provision of cladodes and high volume utilization Interior of the greenhouse.

Figure 8: Portable cart for collecting Carmine mealybug. 8.1.- Plant of the car. 8.2.- Elevation side. 8.3.- Perspective, showing the disposition of the trays 8.4.- Longitudinal section of the car where the trays and the inclined bottom of the car to evacuate the water pick up

Description of the invention

An industrial production process is proposed of carmine cochineal that can be used as a natural dye characterized by several stages:

- Optimized Opuntia plantation that will serve of food to the insect.

- Collection process that allows the emission Optimum of new cladodes.

- Opuntia infection with the offspring of cochineal in a timely manner (not staggered in time).

- Cochineal growth hanging Cladodes in a greenhouse.

- Collection and screening of cochineal.

- Indicted.

First, insects are selected by its qualitative characteristics (appearance, color, acid richness carmine measured in laboratory and size) to be used as players. This selection solves the big problem that currently exists based on that during the process of field collection of individuals, both healthy are collected as they are not, or those who are already dead and without dye, reducing the quality of the final product due to the heterogeneity of the raw material.

Secondly, the plant substrate ( Opuntia ficus indica or tunera ) is harvested in the field to feed the insects, transporting the food, cladodes or healthy and parasite-free leaves, to the cochineal growth site.

The planting stage is characterized because a longitudinal section is applied to the cladode; let it dry shade for two or three days, to dry the cut and heal; and the cut part is placed in contact with the ground by burying it between 3 and 7 cm to facilitate the emission of roots (Figure 1).

Planting can be done so that distribute Opuntia leaves in strips of 100 cm. wide, in distribution to the "three bolillo", leaving streets of 120 cm. between strips, for the passage of operators and machines.

To favor growth, the stage of collection is characterized because a cut is applied to the Opuntia to guide the emergence of new cladodes (Figure 2). When emitting shoots, they are left between 1-5 cladodes, being the optimal number of 3, ensuring equidistance and They eliminate the flowers at each stage. In growth when produce a new emission of cladodes, only 3 are left again equi-spaced children, eliminating flowers that they would give rise to the fruit in that reproductive stage. This procedure leaving only 3 cladodes per unit is repeated consecutively in Each stage of growth. (Figure 2) In addition, a Phytosanitary treatment throughout the cycle to avoid the appearance of parasites in the plant.

With these techniques a development of planting quickly, directing and guiding the emission of children on each floor through the pruning-collection.

The infection stage, where the cochineal offspring in Opuntia, is an infection procedure punctual (not staggered in time) that allows to obtain a single generation of adult insects, characterized by: practicing, first, a hole in the collected cladode (Figure 3); make transverse incisions in the cladode between 1 and 4 mm deep, for which a small amount of sap will appear able to retain the young until they are fixed by their own means (proboscis or sucking peak) with which they attach to the plant while allowing them to feed (Figure 3). In second place, deposition of offspring (of the same age) on the surface of the cladode, and recovery of those that have not been adhered, and finally pass a hook through the hole made to proceed to his hanger. (Figure 4).

The incisions made can be made with a scraper comb system characterized by being a manual tool, with one or more rows of metal spikes that allow incisions on the surface of the cladode for which a small amount emanates of sap. The moment the sap appears on the surface, it drop the cochineal offspring on the cladode. Several of these will remain attached to the cladode in the lines and intersections in which the sap has sprouted and the rest that was not adhered to recovered in the tank that serves as a base (Figure 8).

Instant fixation is achieved in this way. of the offspring in an approximate number to which we have determined previously, all of them of the same age and according to a distribution optimal space to take advantage of the surface of the cladode and its nutrient content

The growth and maturation stage of the insect It starts by placing a hook in the Opuntia (Figure 4) through the hole previously made, proceeding to its hung inside the greenhouse for 72-76 days, period that take the young to become adults. For this one hanged "fork" shaped structures can be used characterized by two or more vertical arms and a central foot on the floor of the greenhouse. These structures have a part buried anchored and an aerial part, conveniently reinforced and can be distributed aligned, leaving space to line up to allow the work of operators and machines. (Figures 5 and 6).

During that growth process they are controlled temperature, relative humidity and radiation so that These parameters are located in the values: T = 18-28 ° C, and RH = <85%. As for radiation it is necessary to guarantee a minimum radiation of 8 hours / day and a maximum of 12 hours / day. The "hanging" of cladodes (Figure 7), allows it (solar radiation) reaches both sides homogeneously of the same. In nature, pups subjected to solar radiation direct, they move in summer to the shaded face, to avoid their dehydration and death. The greenhouse prevents direct radiation and the young reproduce on both sides. We also prevent the rain or wind produce the mechanical drag of insects, that would fall to the ground, dying without completing its cycle.

The collection stage consists of a system hydraulic drag (pressurized water in the form of a shower) that It allows detachment without causing mechanical damage to the insect. Be it also uses a mobile system (Figure 8) characterized by a tank with wheels, equipped with removable trays, each of the which is composed of a sieve with different hole size, and that are distributed from largest to smallest mesh size, in the sense falling. This way you get insects to distribute from largest to smallest in each tray, so that only debris arrives at the bottom of the deposit - dust and waxes - as leftover material.

In the lower tray (it can be more than one) you collect the pups that we will use in the immediate phase of infestation of new pencas. In the upper trays, we collect adult females, which are the raw material for processing of the carmine.

Finally, the collected females pass to industrial process of obtaining carmine. After washing and selection, are poured into a centrifugal crusher or similar, together with hot water to proceed with the extraction of its dye. We solve in this way the quality and dye losses that are produces so far, by proceeding in a traditional way through the "slaughtered" of insects by heat and air until desiccate after having to proceed to industrial hydration with higher energy and water costs to carry out the dye found in the hemolymph of the insect.

The proposed process achieves total drag of the dye, with remarkable energy and water savings (which later must be removed again from the dye).

Embodiments of the invention

An industrial intensive breeding procedure of cochineal is based on having a large number of leaves of the Opuntia host in the smallest space needed and inside a greenhouse to reproduce the conditions inside optimum humidity, temperature and radiation in which it is going to unwrap the life of this insect.

A structure can be used as support for fixing Opuntia leaves, a "fork" of metal material anchored to the ground and whose vertical arms are steel cables will be inserted at a different height on which they are going to hang the Opuntia leaves. Each structural element is made of galvanized steel with two inches section. Bliss structure has three vertical arms through which they run Up to five cable lines at different height. (Figure 7).

Inside the greenhouse are alienated these structures The first line of steel cable, support Cladodes is at a height of 50 cm. from the floor of greenhouse, and the others are 35 cm. of the first, is say 85 cm from the ground, the second line is located; to 120 cm the third; to 155 cm the fourth; and finally at 190 cm. the fifth and last. Each arm of the structure then has a length of 140 cm and part of a central foot of 50 cm. high above the ground from the greenhouse.

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su propio peso.}

This structure has a buried part anchored to a concrete die, and an aerial part. Its composition in both is the same: two-inch galvanized tube. For reasons of structural stability, at the top of the fork, the three arms are joined together by a rigid galvanized steel plate, to absorb stress and avoid deformation. In this way the distribution of tensions that will be generated due to: the weight of the pencas is achieved; the previous tension of the cables that

 \ hbox {support; overload of use during handling; Y
its own weight.} 

The tension that will be given to the cables is in function of the weight they are going to support and the maximum deformation or arrow that we want to admit, as well as its elastic module. The part buried will have a length between 40 and 50 cm and will have two or three legs that will be included in a buried concrete block equally. Each of these unit structures will be separated from the next at a distance of 3 meters.

The structure can be coated with a compound That prevents oxidation. (During the welding process, the parts of the structure subjected to thermal and mechanical stress by the temperature differences, modify their properties and become more susceptible to oxidation, especially in the hot and humid environment from the greenhouse).

On the other hand, the cable to be used as support, is braided steel 3-4 mm in diameter depending on the specific tensile strength referred by the maker. (You could use braided wire of similar section, although its specific resistance is lower, as well as its module elastic).

Each unit cable will be 40 m. of length It will be supported by 11 support structures (10 spans of 3 m.), which gives a useful distance for hanging hangers of 30 m (10 x 3). The rest will be used for anchoring to the ground. A distance between cladodes of 6 cm. (50 pencas in the 300 cm between props).

That distribution allows corridors to exist free between structures, and these should leave enough space so that the operators circulate, as well as the means of transport of the material. (Figure 6) The chosen width of the aisle is 120 cm. Therefore, when distributing the described bearing feet, they must leave free between the end cables of two adjacent structures a Approximate distance of 150 cm. (120 cm. Plus the projection of the pencas in production). You will choose distances between 150 and 180 cm

Claims (3)

1. Industrial process of carmine cochineal production characterized by the combination of the following stages: - Optimized Opuntia plantation that will serve of food to the insect. - Collection process that allows the emission Optimum of new cladodes. - Opuntia infection with the offspring of cochineal in a timely manner (not staggered in time). - Cochineal growth hanging Cladodes in a greenhouse. - Collection and screening of cochineal. - Indicted. Where: - The planting stage is characterized in that a longitudinal section is applied to the cladode and the cut part is arranged in contact with the soil to facilitate the emission of roots. When emitting buds, they leave between 1-5 cladodes seeking equidistance and the flowers are eliminated at each stage. - The cladode harvest stage is characterized in that a cut is applied to the cladode to guide the sprouting of the new cladodes. - The infection stage is characterized in that a hole is applied in each cladode collected, transverse incisions are made in the cladode between 1 and 4 mm deep and the cochineal offspring (of the same age) are deposited, recovering those that do not they have been attached, and finally a hook is passed through the hole. - The growth stage is characterized by cladodes hanging inside a greenhouse where temperature, relative humidity, radiation and lighting are controlled, and ends when the young reach their adult stage. - The collection stage is characterized by the use of a fluid drag system and a mobile system that allows classification by size of the collected insects and their subsequent selection.

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2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the T, HR, R and illumination are among the following values: temperature between 18 and 28 ° C; Relative humidity below 85%, controlled solar radiation so as to avoid the direct incidence of solar rays, and on the other hand, guarantee between 8 and 12 hours / day of lighting. 3. Apparatus allowing classification by size and the selection of insects to carry out the cochineal harvesting stage according to the method of claim 1, characterized by a drag system based on a pressurized fluid and a mobile tank to which it is attached, equipped with removable trays, each with a sieve of different hole size distributed from major to minor in descending direction.