Coccus
the typical genus of the family Coccidæ. Many species are hurtful to plants in greenhouses and elsewhere. Ga Gardeners call them bugs. C. adonidum (the mealy bug) does damage in hothouses, as does C. testudo. C. vitis (the vine-scale) injures vines, and C. hesperidum oranges. Others, however, are of value as dyes. C. Cacti, found on the cactuses, is the cochineal insect. C.
Ilicis, found on quercus coccifera, an evergreen oak in the S. of France, furnishes a crimson dye which has long been known to mankind. C. polonicus is used by the Turks as a red dye. C. lacca yields lac.