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Cochineal
Dactylopius coccus
32.7247, -117.107
Field Notes
Description:
The cochineal (/kɒtʃɨˈniːl/ koch-i-neel or /ˈkɒtʃɨniːl/ koch-i-neel; Dactylopius coccus) is a scale insect in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, from which the crimson-coloured dye carmine is derived. A primarily sessile parasite native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico, this insect lives on cacti from the genus Opuntia, feeding on plant moisture and nutrients.
Habitat:
This scale lives on Opuntia (pad) cacti.
Notes:
When you touch the white fuzz, it turns into beautiful purple fluid (see second picture). The Aztec used this as a dye for the clothing of the most powerful members of the society, and after the conquest (holocaust) of South America, it was harvested and sent to Europe for use as a dye there.
Reference Links:
Cochineal
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedSeptember 18, 2011
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