Cochineal bugs (Dactylopus confusus) on a prickly pear cactus. The actual bugs are hidden under a coating of fluffy wax that they produce. A brilliant red dye obtained from the crushed bodies of this insect was once the basis of a large commercial industry. Synthetic aniline dyes largely put an end to this industry, but the natural product is still used in the manufacture of some cosmetics, food coloring, and fabric dyes. Cochineal bugs are native from TX and NM to CA and MT, south into much of Mexico. Photo taken Parker Co., TX.