cochineal insect
Refers specifically to the scale insect Dactylopius coccus, known for producing carmine dye.
A red dye can be obtained from the cochineal insect.
カイガラムシ is the general term for scale insects; エンジムシ is a specific species.
Katakana spelling is the most common written form for this insect name.
Kanji spelling is rare and may be difficult to read; the word is usually written in kana.
Compound of 臙脂 (enji, 'carmine') + 虫 (mushi, 'insect'). The exact historical derivation of 臙脂 is uncertain, but it refers to the red dye produced by this insect.