The crushed bodies of a Central and South American insect, called the Cochineal, produces a natural red dye.
They are used for textiles, food-coloring, and cosmetics. Next time you see an ingredients list that includes carmine, cochineal extract or natural red 4, it comes from these bugs.
I’ve known a couple of vegans that wouldn’t eat it. One was disappointed to learn a drink he liked contained it. But he stopped drinking it.