The prickly pear cochineal, Dactylopius confusus (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), is an invasive scale insect and serious pest of the prickly pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica L. (Cactaceae), in Algeria since it was introduced in 2021. This study confirms the presence of D. confusus rather than D. opuntiae, with diagnostic and morphometric analyses of adult females. Furthermore, monitoring of D. confusus enabled the observation and documentation of all developmental stages, as well as its geographical distribution.