What is the scientific name of the insect used to produce carminic acid dye?

• A. Drosophila melanogaster
• B. Dactylopius coccus
• C. Apis mellifera
• D. Bombyx mori

Answer: (B)

The insect used to produce carminic acid dye is the cochineal scale insect, Dactylopius coccus. Female cochineals feed on cactus such as prickly pear, and their bodies store carminic acid, the pigment that gives the bright red dye known as carmine. Historically, the insects are harvested, dried, and processed to extract this dye, which has been prized for textiles and later used as a food coloring (E120) and in cosmetics. The other insects listed serve different roles—fruit flies are key genetic model organisms, honey bees provide honey and pollination, and silkworms produce silk—none of which yield carminic acid dye.