the cochineal ( , ; dactylopius coccus) is a scale insect in the suborder sternorrhyncha, from which the natural dye carmine is derived. a primarily sessile parasite native to tropical and subtropical south america through north america (mexico and the southwest united states), this insect lives on cacti in the genus "opuntia", feeding on plant moisture and nutrients. the insects are found on the pads of prickly pear cacti, collected by brushing them off the plants, and dried.