Cochinilla!!!!!!!!

[jen_in_mexico]

So, we went to the park yesterday and I was trying to explain cochinilla (cochineal) to my husband and found this:

Comments

[nidea]

I haven't done it myself, but I like web research...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal#Dye
http://www.coastalwebweaver.com/ashtlo/documents/indywatson/craigwatson2daysdying.html
http://www.amybutlergreenfield.com/Amusements_Dyeing.html

[jen_in_mexico]

Thanks!!! *goes to read*

[alunatic]

Um... I have no idea what that is, and it is scary! LOL!

[jen_in_mexico]

It's a scale insect that lives on prickly pear cacti and used as a dye...colors range from oranges to reds to purples and pinks :D

My husband popped one in his fingers yesterday, thinking it was a fungus, and it dyed his fingers magenta. Then I told him it was an insect and he got kinda grossed out. *grin*

[alunatic]

Ahhh.... okay, that is kinda cool, actually.

And somehow I think that popping a fungus is every bit as gross as popping an insect! :)

[jen_in_mexico]

haha...he squashed a small spider with his bare hand last week and thought nothing of that...IMO that is MUCH more disgusting than popping a bug that doesn't even MOVE :P