Cochineal Insect

The cochineal is a scale insect in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, from which the natural dye carmine is derived. A primarily sessile parasite native to tropical and subtropical South America through North America, this insect lives on cacti in the genus Opuntia, feeding on plant moisture and nutrients. The insects are found on the pads of prickly pear cacti, collected by brushing them off the plants, and dried. Scientific Name: Dactylopius coccus Range: Native to Central & South America; cultivated worldwide Size: Adult female ~5 mm Status: Beneficial ID Notes: Tiny scale insect living on prickly pear cacti. Body covered in white waxy filaments. Behavior / Notes: Crushed insects yield CARMINE — a brilliant red dye historically used for textiles, food coloring, lipstick. Spanish colonial economy was based on cochineal exports.