Red cochineal dye (carminic Acid): its role in nature

  • Science. 1980 May 30;208(4447):1039-42. doi: 10.1126/science.208.4447.1039.
T Eisner ,  S Nowicki ,  M Goetz ,  J Meinwald
PMID: 17779027 DOI: 10.1126/science.208.4447.1039
Abstract

Carminic acid, the well-known red dyestuff from cochineal insects (Dactylopius spp.), is a potent feeding deterrent to ants. This deterrency may be indicative of the natural function of the compound, which may have evolved in cochineals as a chemical weapon against predation. The behavior of an unusual predator is described-the carnivorous caterpillar of a pyralid moth (Laetilia coccidivora)-which is undeterred by carminic acid and feeds on cochineals. The animal has the remarkable habit of utilizing the ingested carminic acid for defensive purposes of its own.

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