Credit: Leyo
License: CC BY-SA 3.0 CH
Credit URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org...
Credit: gailhampshire
License: CC BY 2.0
Credit URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org...
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Dactylopiidae, Genus: Dactylopius, Species: D. coccus,
These larvae with their fluffy cotton-like covering were all over the Prickly Pears in Jimena during last years drought.
Credit: Dick Culbert
License: CC BY 2.0
Credit URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org...
A scale insect hiding under this exuded scruff on Opuntia cacti produces a red dye when smeared. This is valued as a 'natural' coloring known as Cochineal for lipsticks etc.
In context at www.dixpix.ca/sth_cordillera/flora/cacti_big/index.html
Cochineal (Hebrew: שָׁנִי šənî - Strongs: H8144; Coccus ilicis - Strongs: H8438) — A hemiptera homoptera insect very common on the Syrian holm-oak, from the female of which the crimson dye kermes is prepared. The complete name in Hebrew is equivalent to "scarlet insect", the "insect" being not infrequently omitted in the translations.
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