Our visit to Cochineal national park

The journey was interesting. We have read many articles about these insects before, but they say “a pictureis worth a thousand words”.

And it was really amazing! Small red worms come out of the ground only once a year during September and only in the morning. After 12 o’clock they return to their wormholes in the salty and dry ground. Armenian cochineals are called “vordan karmir” because of the carmine dye, which is extracted from the body and eggs of these insects and then mixed with aluminum or calcium salts. The carmine dye was used in Armenia for colouring fabrics, famous Armenian carpets  and Armenian illuminated manuscripts. The guide from the Matenadaran told us, that this dye is used even in medicine and cosmetology.  He also promised us to invite to the Matenadaran lab to learn how they make this dye. On our way home we visited Etchmiadzin Cathedral.  Thank Mrs. Noemi for this opportunity.