Carmine (natural dye)

Carmine is a natural red dye derived from dried cochineal (dactylopius coccus), a scale insect native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, harvested as a source of carminic acid. It has been used extensively in the colouring of textiles, as cosmetics and processed foods (sometimes being referred to as "cochineal extract," "crimson lake," "E120,", or "Natural Red #4"), in addition to having scientific utility as a preparatory stain for histology (microanatomy).