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PREMIUM COCHINEAL
SECOND GRADE COCHINEAL
COCHINEAL POWDER
Mother Cochineal
Definition
The carmine mealybug is a parasitic hemiptera insect, belonging to the family Dactylopiidae, whose host are prickly pear cactus plants. It is also known as grana cochinilla, cochinilla grana, nocheztli or simply cochinilla. The carmine, which is extracted from the females, has been used as a fabric dye for centuries, and even today as a food colorant or in cosmetics such as lipsticks. It is an insect of great economic importance from which the natural dye is extracted and is composed of two famous substances, carmine and carminic acid.
Life cycle of the mealybug
For the female: egg, nymph I, nymph II and adult. For the male: egg, nymph I, nymph II cocoon, pre-pupa, pupa and adult.
Reproduction
They can reproduce about 2-3 times a year. The time of mating is difficult to observe as it takes place during the night. The male stands over the female, caresses her with his front legs and then positions himself on one side and the other of the female’s body to introduce the sperm into the two genital openings she has. The fertilized eggs are kept by the female in a kind of sac on her abdomen, like kangaroos, which increases in size. They produce between 5 and 80 young, called nymphs, which create a white wax on the outside, but at the same time produce the precious red pigment on the inside. Males are very difficult to observe because when the male nymphs reach sexual maturity they only have just enough time to mate with the female before they die.
Climatological factors
The mealybug thrives well in temperate to warm climate conditions, with temperatures between 10°C and 27°C, relative humidity between 45% and 80% and altitude between 100 and 3000 m.a.s.l. Environmentally, mealybug productivity is influenced by the following factors:
- Insolation or luminosity:The mealybug tends to move away from light (negative photoresponse). When looking for a suitable place to settle, it has a tendency towards places with less insolation.
- Wind: Its influence is positive in some cases, when migrants need to disperse on the plant and reach places they could not reach on their own. In other cases, it is negative when it causes fixation on the prickly pear. It is recommended to have windbreaks in areas with strong winds.
- Rainfall: This is an adverse factor for mealybug establishment and development, as heavy rains wash the plants, washing away migrants before they can attach to the plant.
- Temperature: The higher the temperature and lower the relative humidity, the faster the speed of insect development, i.e., the shorter the biological cycle.
- Age of the stalk: The mealybug prefers new stalks from the last year to establish itself.
Infestation
Infestation is the planting or propagation of the mealybug on the prickly pear plant. There are two types of infestation: natural and artificial. – Natural: is the spread or transfer of mealybug to the nymph stage (migrants) in the prickly pear cactus, either by itself or favored by the wind, birds and insects. -Artificial: it is the seeding of adult females oviplenas and / or nymph (migrants) made by man, applying methods or techniques developed by him.
Collection
The cochineal is harvested approximately 90 days after planting, depending on the altitude of the area. To do this, a spoon with an elongated handle is used, which allows the farmer to reach all the cladodes or paletas of the prickly pear. Once the leaf or palette has been carefully scraped and the mealybug has been removed, it is placed in an appropriate container. The farmer must wear gloves and appropriate clothing to protect him from the prickles of the prickly pear cactus, as well as from the intense sun. Harvesting is done in the morning, collecting only the mature mealybugs, leaving the smaller ones on the plant.
Drying
Cochineal drying is a key process to preserve the quality of the insect and its carminic acid content. After harvesting, cochineals are subjected to drying methods such as exposure to the sun, drying in ovens or rotating drums. This process reduces moisture, preventing decomposition and facilitating storage and marketing. Proper drying guarantees a high quality product for the extraction of carmine, used in the textile, food and cosmetics industries.
Cleaning and Sorting
The cleaning and classification of the cochineal are essential processes to ensure the quality of the final product. First, excess impurities, such as remains of stalks and dust, are removed. Then, the dried cochineals are sorted according to size, weight and carminic acid content. This process is done manually or with special sieves and sifters.
Quality
Control
It is a key process to ensure an optimal product in carmine extraction. Aspects such as size, purity, moisture content and percentage of carminic acid are evaluated. Physical and chemical analysis is also performed to ensure that it meets market standards.
Bagging in
Sacks
The dried cochineal is packed in polypropylene or jute bags, which allow adequate ventilation and protection of the product. Before packaging, the cochineal is sieved to eliminate impurities and ensure homogeneous quality; in some cases, plastic bags are used inside to prevent moisture absorption.
International Transportation
Air export of dried cochineal is an efficient option for shipping this product to international markets with high demand, such as Europe and Asia. Due to its low weight and high commercial value, air transport reduces delivery times and guarantees product quality, avoiding damage due to humidity or contamination.
Main uses of cochineal
