Tanya Aguiñiga explores the relationship between her physical movement and her encounters with cochineal insects. She describes mapping the locations where she found cochineal as a way to reflect on migration and movement, drawing parallels between human mobility and the insect’s historical spread from regions like Oaxaca and Peru to other areas. Aguiñiga shares how she began noticing cochineal in unexpected places across Southern California, Northern California, and Michoacán. Through this process, she links her personal geography with the insect’s widespread presence. She also notes how this tracking revealed the abundance of cochineal and highlighted how many people are unaware of its history and role in art, cultural practices, and ceremonial traditions.