1. Mexican red scale insect that feeds on cacti; the source of a red dye
   "Traditional textiles were coloured using dye from the cochineal insect";
   - cochineal insect, Dactylopius coccus
    
2. A red dyestuff consisting of dried bodies of female cochineal insects
   "Cochineal was used to create the vibrant red colour in traditional textiles"

Derived forms: cochineals

Type of: dye, dyestuff, scale insect

Part of: Dactylopius, genus Dactylopius

Encyclopedia: Cochineal