Cochineal

Besides the interesting geologic features in Valencia County, nature walks will provide interesting glimpses of nature unique to our area. This column will describe a natural feature particular to the Southwest United States (and Central America regions) visible along many walking paths (and yards) in Valencia County.

Cactus plants lining the mountains and rural areas of New Mexico may display small, white, fibrous, web-like clusters particularly found on the pads of prickly pear (nopal) cactus. These small, typically quarter-inch wide, white, objects can be pinched and crushed, surprisingly yielding a crimson-colored stain! The waxy web-like coating is created by a tiny Cochineal (pronounced “KotchyNeel”) insect and its nymphs to protect them from water loss and excessive sun. They also produce a unique red pigment to deter predators. The insects were collected by a labor-intensive scraping of the cactus and were then sun-dried or heated. The pigment was collected by Native Americans to produce bright colored dyes and was an important trade item among indigenous populations. The dye impressed the Spanish conquerors who promoted the production of the pigment and brought it protectively to Europe. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the value of cochineal shipped to Europe was second (although distantly) to silver and employed 30,000 people in the Oaxaca region! Aristocratic fashions in Europe also moved from purple to bright red, increasing the demand and the value of cochineal.

A massive amount of insects is required, some 25,000 live insects or 70,000 dried ones to make around one pound of dye. Artificial dyes now have replaced the cactus cultivation and cochineal harvesting, but recent preferences for natural products have created a resurgence of cochineal production.

As you walk around the County, look for the small white fibrous clumps on cacti, crunch one to reveal a bright red color, and marvel at the historical significance of these tiny insects.

(Paul Parmentier, a certified professional geologist retired from California and living in Los Lunas, shares the rich geologic features in Valencia County. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Belgium and a master’s degree in geochemistry from Japan. The Geology Landscapes of Valencia County are featured monthly.)