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. The word "kermes" is derived from Turkish qirmiz or kirmizi, "crimson", itself deriving from Persian *کرمست via Proto-Indo-Iranian *kŕ̥miš, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷŕ̥mis ; it is related to the Persian word for worm kirm.
The first instars are called "crawlers". They are less than long, salmon-colored, and wingless with well-developed legs. 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.
There are some 20 species, including:Kermes bacciformis Leonardi, 1908Kermes corticalis Kermes echinatus Kermes gibbosus Signoret, 1875Kermes ilicis Kermes roboris Kermes vermilio Planchon, 1864