cochineal insect
noun
: a small red cactus-feeding scale insect (Dactylopius coccus) the females of which are the source of cochineal
Examples of cochineal insect in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The insects are dried and sold to processors, who extract carminic acid, which makes up around 20 percent in dry weight of the cochineal insect’s body.
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Brittany J. Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2022
Today, Peru is the largest commercial producer of the D. coccus cochineal insect, followed by countries such as Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Spain’s Canary Islands.
—Brittany J. Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2022
Finally, addition of a gene from the cochineal insect itself provided an enzyme that converted kermesic acid into carminic acid.
—Brittany J. Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2022
That involves releasing cochineal insects that feed on the cactus, killing it off, but not spreading to any other plant species.
—Stephanie Bailey, CNN, 9 Dec. 2019
Carmine, a bright-red color, is created by crushing Armenian and Polish cochineal insects, species that are now endangered.
—Jackie Mansky, Smithsonian, 14 Mar. 2018
Brittany J. Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2022
Today, Peru is the largest commercial producer of the D. coccus cochineal insect, followed by countries such as Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Spain’s Canary Islands.
—Brittany J. Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2022
Finally, addition of a gene from the cochineal insect itself provided an enzyme that converted kermesic acid into carminic acid.
—Brittany J. Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2022
That involves releasing cochineal insects that feed on the cactus, killing it off, but not spreading to any other plant species.
—Stephanie Bailey, CNN, 9 Dec. 2019
Carmine, a bright-red color, is created by crushing Armenian and Polish cochineal insects, species that are now endangered.
—Jackie Mansky, Smithsonian, 14 Mar. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cochineal insect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1801, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Cochineal insect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cochineal%20insect. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
cochineal insect
noun
: a small bright red insect that is related to and resembles the mealybug, feeds on cacti, and yields cochineal
Medical Definition
cochineal insect
noun
: a small bright red cactus-feeding scale insect (Dactylopius coccus) the females of which are the source of cochineal
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