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Kermes (insect)
Kermes is a genus of gall-like scale insects in the family Kermesidae. They feed on the sap of oaks; the females produce a red dye, also called "kermes", that is the source of natural crimson.[1] The word "kermes" is derived from Turkish qirmiz or kirmizi (قرمز), "crimson" (both the colour and the dyestuff),[2] itself deriving from Persian *کرمست (*kermest) via Proto-Indo-Iranian *kŕ̥miš, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷŕ̥mis (“worm”).[3] The first instars are called "crawlers".[4] They are less than 0.5 millimetres (0.020 in) long, salmon-colored, and wingless with well-developed legs.[4] As adults, they demonstrate significant sexual dimorphism. Males are gnat-like with fragile wings, while females are bulbous with reduced legs and antennas, and are easily mistaken for buds or galls.[4] There are some 20 species,[5] including:
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_on_Holm_Oak_(Kercus_ilex)_(20164637762).jpg)
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