title: Red cochineal dye (carminic Acid): its role in nature.
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.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eisner
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nowicki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goetz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meinwald