| Summary: | The effect of temperature on <i>Dactylopius opuntiae</i> (Cockerell) life cycle parameters was evaluated at 20, 23, 26, 32, and 40 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 12 L:8 D. Temperatures ranging from 26 °C to 32 °C were suitable for survival, development, and reproduction of <i>D. opuntiae</i>. The total developmental time of females ranged from 94.23 d (20 °C) to 43.55 d (40 °C). The average development time of males from egg to death ranged from 26.97 days at 32 °C to 50.75 days at 20 °C. The probability that a newly laid egg would survive to the adult stage was highest at 26 °C and 32 °C (44–60%). The parthenogenesis in females was not observed during our study. The longest oviposition period was observed when the cochineal was reared at 32 °C (17.97 days), and the highest fecundity was observed at 32 °C (355.29 egg/female). The highest proportion of females (0.80) was observed at 40 °C. According to the age-stage-two-sex life table, the highest value of the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r<sub>m</sub>) was recorded at 32 °C. The lower developmental thresholds for the total pre-adult female and male and adult female and male stages, were 10.15, 12.21, 10.54, and 21.04 °C, respectively. <i>Dactylopius opuntiae</i> females needed a higher thermal constant (769.23 D°) than males (357.14 D°) to achieve their development and reach the mature adult stage. These findings will be useful for the development of an integrated pest management strategy for <i>D. opuntiae</i>.
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