Carmine-dye

Guides

• Dactylopiidae

  Cochineal Insects

  Dactylopiidae is a family of scale insects (Hemiptera) comprising the single genus Dactylopius, commonly known as cochineal insects. These insects are economically and historically significant as the primary source of carmine, a vibrant red dye derived from carminic acid that the insects produce as a defensive compound. The family has been used for dye production since at least the 10th century in the Americas and became the second most valuable export from the New World during the Colonial Period. Some species serve as biological control agents for invasive cacti, while others are agricultural pests of cactus crops.

  scale-insectscochinealcarmine-dyecarminic-acidcactus-pestsbiological-controleconomic-entomologyhistorical-dyeagricultural-pesthost-specificmonotypic-familyphloem-feedersessile-femalewinged-male

• Eosalpingogaster

  Eosalpingogaster is a genus of flower flies (Syrphidae) established by Hull in 1949 and elevated to full generic status based on adult morphology, biological data, and molecular phylogenetics. Species in this genus are specialized predators of carmine cochineal insects (Dactylopius spp., Dactylopiidae), which are the source of carminic acid used in red dyes. The genus includes multiple species, with two new species described in a 2011 revision.

  Syrphidaeflower-flieshoverfliespredatorcochinealDactylopiusbiological-controlcarminic-acidcarmine-dye