Photo 1 of 5
(c) Felix Riegel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Photo 2 of 5
(c) Felix Riegel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Photo 3 of 5
(c) Karl Kroeker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Photo 4 of 5
(c) tylototriton, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Photo 5 of 5
(c) Angela Salgueiro, all rights reserved

1 of 5 photos

true cochineal bug

Dactylopius coccus

Worldwide: 584 observations
Group: Insects

About

The cochineal (/kɒtʃɪˈniːl/ kotch-ih-NEEL, /ˈkɒtʃɪniːl/ KOTCH-ih-neel; 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 as well as Mexico and Arizona, this insect lives on cacti in the genus Opuntia, feeding on plant moisture and nutrients. These insects are found on the pads of prickly pear cacti, then are brushed off and dried.

Summary from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Recent sightings near La Paz

Research-grade observations within 25 km, newest first.

Apr 27, 2026Aranjuez, La Paz, BoliviaObserver: Omar Miranda B.View observation from Apr 27, 2026 on iNaturalist
Apr 26, 2026Alto Florida, La Paz, BoliviaObserver: jorgecalvetmagnaniView observation from Apr 26, 2026 on iNaturalist
Feb 9, 2026La PazObserver: Guido AyalaView observation from Feb 9, 2026 on iNaturalist
Dec 9, 2025La PazObserver: Guido AyalaView observation from Dec 9, 2025 on iNaturalist
Apr 27, 2025Alto Florida, La Paz, BoliviaObserver: jorgecalvetmagnaniView observation from Apr 27, 2025 on iNaturalist
Apr 25, 2025Calacoto, La Paz, BoliviaObserver: leoninaturalistView observation from Apr 25, 2025 on iNaturalist