The cochineal (Dactylopius coccus) is a species of scale insect that is responsible for the creation of carmine dye. It is found in the deserts of North America and South America, but is also found in the Canary Islands. This insect lives in the cacti (specicifally the genus Opuntia), feeding on plant moisture and nutrients.
Carmine dye is one of the important export goods in the 16th century as it was used in the Americas for coloring fabrics. Nowaday, carmine is used as a colorant in food and in lipstick.
Other species in the genus Dactylopius can be used to produce the carmine dye, and are extremely difficult to distinguish from the cochineal, even for expert taxonomists.
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The DNA of the cochineal was used for the Sonoran Desert cosmestic gene.
