The Cochineal

The Cochineal, Dactylopius coccus, is a scale insect in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, from which the crimson-colored dye, carmine, is derived. D. coccus itself is native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico. A primarily sessile parasite, this insect lives on cacti from the genus Opuntia, feeding on plant moisture and nutrients. The insect produces carminic acid that deters predation by other insects. Carminic acid can be extracted from the insect's body and eggs to make carmine dye (also known as cochineal). Carmine is primarily used as a food colouring and for cosmetics. After synthetic pigments and dyes such as alizarin were invented in the late 19th century, natural-dye production gradually diminished. Health fears over artificial food additives, however, have renewed the popularity of cochineal dyes, and the increased demand has made cultivation of the insect profitable again. Cochineal dyes have health risks. Unlike hypothetical risks extrapolated from tests on other species (rats), Cochineal-based dyes and derivatives cause allergic reactions in no more than 1 in 10,000 consumers. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has called on the FDA to remove insect-based dyes from the approved list of dyes. (more...)