Cochineal

Other names: Scale Bug, Scale Beetle, Scarlet Scales
== Anatomy and Health ==
Cochineal insects are soft-bodied, flat, oval-shaped scale insects. They secrete a waxy white substance over their bodies for protection from water loss and excessive sun. This substance makes the cochineal insect appear white or grey from the outside, though the body of the insect produces a red pigment, which makes the insides of the insect look dark purple.The females, wingless and about 5 mm (0.20 in) long, cluster on plants. They penetrate the plants with their beak-like mouthparts and feed on their juices, remaining immobile unless alarmed.
=== Diet ===
They are parasites of plants, feeding on sap drawn directly from the plant's vascular system. They also sometimes feed on fungal mats and fungi.
== Habitat ==
They can be found in the Black Wood, or any lush forest, prairie, or garden. They are especially numerous near the habitats of the Myrmeke. 
== Reproduction and Life Cycle ==
Adult female scales are almost always immobile (aside from mealybugs) and permanently attached to the plant they have parasitized. They secrete a waxy coating for defense; this coating causes them to resemble reptilian scales or fish scales, hence their common name.
The group shows high degrees of sexual dimorphism; female scale insects, retain the immature external morphology even when sexually mature, a condition known as neoteny. 
=== Nymphs ===
After mating, the fertilised female increases in size and gives birth to tiny nymphs. The nymphs secrete a waxy white substance over their bodies for protection from water loss and excessive sun. This substance makes the cochineal insect appear white or grey from the outside, though the body of the insect and its nymphs produces a red pigment, which makes the insides of the insect look dark purple. 
=== Crawlers ===
Within moments they conquer the use of their functional legs and are called "crawlers". They immediately crawl around in search of a favorable spot to settle down and feed. Sometimes they delay settling down either until they are starving, or until they have been blown away by wind onto what presumably is another plant, where they may establish a colony separate from the parent. There are also some that are associated with species of ants that act as herders and carry the young ones to favorable protected sites to feed. In either case, many such species of crawlers, when they change their skins, lose the use of their legs if they are female, and stay put for life. Only the males retain their legs and use them in seeking females for mating.
=== Adults ===
Male's only feed on the cactus until they reach sexual maturity. At this time, they can no longer feed at all and live only long enough to fertilise the eggs. Adult males can be distinguished from females in that males have wings, and are much smaller.
=== Life Expectancy ===
Females live up to a week.
Males typically live only 24-48 hours.
== Magical Properties ==
=== Potions used in: ===
Flask of Forgetfulness,