Metabolic profiling of Dactylopius (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) species pigments by geographical origin and hosts using multivariate data analysis

The genus Dactylopius includes the group of insects historically used in Mexico as a source of natural red colorant, the cochineal color. Five species of Dactylopius collected in thirteen states of Mexico and two provinces of Argentina were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector. This analysis allowed each species to be identified on the basis of differences in their metabolic profiles. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis differentiated the species by localities and host plant. These two multivariate data analysis techniques were complementary and confirmed the grouping of all analyzed Dactylopius samples. For all species, carminic acid, identified by reference to a commercial sample, was the major compound present in significant amounts, making all five species potential sources of colorant. In addition, each species could be differentiated by the presence of other minor compounds.