Kermes (dye)
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- 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 (Kermes ilices), formerly Coccus ilicis, allied to the cochineal insect, and found on several species of oak near the Mediterranean. The insects are round, about the size of 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.
