Wild Cochineal

I found this batch in Central Texas on a deer lease where I will hunt this year. The cochineal was used by the Aztec and other tribes as a dye for clothing and is native to Mexico. The cultivated insects, that I've seen, are larger than these wild ones and produce more dye per insect. I just thought I'd share this because I think this dye is amazing stuff!

I put a blooper at the end. I thought it was funny...sorry. heheh

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Texas
• Cochineal
• Dye

[ShinBone5000]

Interesting... Now I'll be watching each prickley pear patch I come across for cochineal.  Great video.

[AllergicHobbit]

@ShinBone5000 Yep, I watch too. Now, if you grow your own cactus (without the thorns) you can easily trasfer the bugs and they won't kill your plants. The thorns are very annoying....

[MikalskiEdward]

Thanks for that ,i will keep it in mind when I eat my next angel cake .,that was an eye opener ,heard about them but never seen .Greetings from Denmark

[AllergicHobbit]

@MikalskiEdward Hahah. Angel cake? Hello Denmark, I try not to think about it... 8)

[MontanaBarNone]

Wow! That's neat......i never knew where it came from.

[AllergicHobbit]

@MontanaBarNone They say it takes at least 70,000 insects to produce one pound of dry (powdered) dye! That's a lotta bugs...

[NCHEADHUNTERS]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing....Mike

[TheTribeOfBenjamin]

thanks for sharing!

[gotrocksinhead]

Cool bugs..