Kermes (dye)

For other uses of the term, see Kermes

Kermes (or chermes), meaning "red insect" in the Persian language, is the dried bodies of the females of a scale insect in the genus Kermes, primarily Kermes ilicis (formerly Coccus ilicis) or Kermes vermilio, distantly related to the cochineal insect, and found on species of oak (esp. Kermes oak) near the Mediterranean. The insects are round, smaller than a pea, contain coloring matter analogous to carmine, and are used in dyeing. Red dye was created from the kermes insect, and the word crimson is derived from the word kermes. In ancient times, these insects were thought to be of a vegetable nature, and were used in medicine.

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See also

Alchermes