Cochineal

Description

Dactylopius is a genus of insect in the superfamily Coccoidea, the scale insects. It is the only genus in the family Dactylopiidae. These insects are known commonly as cochineals, a name that also specifically refers to the best-known species, the cochineal (Dactylopius coccus). The cochineal is an insect of economic and historical importance as a main source of the red dye carmine. It has reportedly been used for this purpose in the Americas since the 10th century. Genus Dactylopius is also important because several species have been used as agents of biological pest control, and because several are known as invasive species. In general, cochineals are waxy gray scaled insects, with the key characteristic that adult females release the bright red substance when crushed known as carminic acid. Most species belonging to this genus are covered in thin, sticky strands of wax; D. coccus is one such species which lacks these traits. Common with the characteristics of most scaled insects, the species within this genus too show sexual dimorphism between male and female individuals. Where females of the genus possess a simple morphology (standard body, with a head, mouth, legs, etc.), though lacking wings of any kind; the males of the genus are the opposite, possessing a singular set of wings, and no mouth at all. (See D. coccus for example.) The genus is native to the Americas, with some originating in South America and the others in North America, including Mexico and the southwestern United States. D. coccus apparently has a disjunct distribution today, occurring in Mexico and also in Peru, but not in the region between. Molecular phylogenetic studies of the genus suggest that D. coccus originated in South America and was introduced to Mexico with various agricultural products during the Pre-Columbian era. The genus is now distributed throughout much of the world due to accidental and intentional introductions. The insects produce carminic acid as an antipredator adaptation. It is processed to produce the pigment carmine, which has long been used as a red food coloring and a natural dye for textiles. Dactylopius coccus, the true cochineal, is the species most commonly used today and historically, because it has a higher carminic acid content and yields a better quality pigment than its congeners. The insect has been domesticated and is reared for its product.