[NHCOLL-L:4577] RE: dyeing forams

[Bryant, James]

I'm not sure where the idea came from the red dye comes from beetles
(I've heard that mentioned several places) but it actual is produced
from the remains of the Cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus is one
species), a homopteran scale insect apparently of the suborder
Sternorrhyncha (aphids, etc.). The dye is also sold in a more refined
version under the name "carmine".

 

James M. Bryant

Curator of Natural History

Museum Department, City of Riverside

3580 Mission Inn Avenue

Riverside, CA 92501

(951) 826-5273

(951) 369-4970 FAX

jbryant at riversideca.gov

________________________________

From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
[mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Maggie Carrino
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 10:39 AM
To: NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:4572] dyeing forams

 

Sorry for the cross-posting...

 

Does anybody have experience with dyeing forams?  A local scientist has
recommended food coloring, but I'd like to explore non-organic(?) based
options.  I have read that red food-dye is made from crushed beetle
carapaces, so I can at least recommend that our department not use red
if they do proceed with the food coloring route.

I wonder if India ink would work?

 

Thanks for your input or suggested reading on this topic.

 

 

Maggie Carrino

Fossil Preparation Lab Manager

Department of Paleontology and Paleoservices

San Diego Natural History Museum

Your Nature Connection

 

Phone:      619.255.0320

Fax:          619.255.0312

Website: http://www.sdnhm.org

E-mail:     mcarrino at sdnhm.org

 

Mailing address:  P.O. Box 121390, San Diego, CA 92112-1390, USA

Street address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

 

P Please consider the impact on the environment before printing this
message. 

 

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