Leucopis, etc.). Eisner remarks that the ability to sequester the compound likely arose due to ants being a common predator amongst larvae.

Biosynthesis of carminic acid

Carminic acid is a polyketide secondary metabolite produced by the scale insect Dacylopius coccus. In terms of its biosynthetic origin, the structure of carminic acid was speculated to be either from type ll polyketide or shikimate pathways.