kermes

• ⇰ The dried bodies of the females of a scale insect (<spn>Kermes ilices</spn> formerly <spn>Coccus ilicis</spn>), allied to the cochineal insect, and found on several species of oak near the Mediterranean; also, the dye obtained from them. They are round,
• ⇰ A small European evergreen oak (<spn>Quercus coccifera</spn>) on which the kermes insect (<spn>Kermes ilices</spn>, formerly <spn>Coccus ilicis</spn>) feeds.
• ⇰ A genus of scale insects including many species that feed on oaks. The adult female resembles a small gall.