Historical-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