The Cochineal Insect (Dactylopius coccus) is a scale insect that feeds on the sap of cactus plants. It sits on the plant most of its life, protected by a waxy scale, and makes bitter-tasting carminic acid (cochineal) to deter ants and other predators. This substance is bright red and has been used for centuries as a natural dye. When the Spanish first arrived in Mexico they realised that it was far superior to the European equivalents. Carmine is one of the most stable natural dyes and the striking colour made it very popular in Europe. Export of cochineal from the New World was second only to gold in value.
With the development of artificial dyes in the nineteenth century the demand for cochineal as a textile dye declined, but it continued to be used as a food colourant and in cosmetics. The current annual value of the cochineal trade is over $30 million, and with the increasing concerns over artificial food additives this market is increasing. You need over 50,000 insects to make one pound of pure carmine, and with over 200 tonnes produced each year that means a lot of little bugs!
Only female scale insects are collected, the males are far too small and short-lived. Females sit on the cactus and drink sap for a couple of months, but the tiny flying males live only a few days. The adult male does not even have mouthparts. He takes no part in the production of cochineal other than fertilising the females.
Carmine is safe enough to be used in lipsticks, rouges and eye makeup, and for the vast majority of people it is also a harmless food additive. Often labelled as E120 it is found in many drinks and foodstuffs. Very rarely it can cause allergic reactions, and it is not recommended for children who are hyperactive. Strict vegetarians, Orthodox Jews and Muslims also avoid it.
British Army uniforms included the famous red tunic (redcoats) until muskets were replaced by the more accurate rifles in the mid nineteenth century. The red dye was extracted from the Common European Madder (Rubia tinctorum) at first, but later carmine was used. It might seem rather stupid to prance around on the battlefield in bright red – but apparently the advantage of being able to spot your allies outweighed the increased visibility afforded to the enemy. Muskets were not very accurate, and the black powder produced clouds of smoke which quickly obscured the view. When rifles were introduced, and then smokeless cartridges, the British Army quickly adopted khaki!
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