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.
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.