cochineal insect Hear it!

cochineal insect definition

cochineal insect

any of a family (Dactylopiidae) of scale insects, esp. one (Dactylopius coccus) that has a brilliant-red body fluid, feeds on certain cactuses, is found chiefly in Mexico, and was formerly much used as a source of cochineal

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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