Lac Insect Bionomics Its Natural Enemies and Lac Production

Kerria lacca Kerr. is the most common Indian lac insect of commercial importance. Rangeeni and
kusmi are the two strains of Kerria lacca, both produce two crops in a year (bi-voltine). The lac insect
belongs to the order Homoptera, family Tachardiidae (Kerridae) and, in the superfamily of Coccoidea.
Therefore the structure and habit of young male lac insect differs significantly from its adult stage. The
duration of different stages depends on strain of insect, season of the crop, species of host tree and
location. The sex- ratio of male and female lac insect depends largely on lac crop and its season. The
fertilized female lac prepares itself for oviposition (egg laying) inside the lac cell after long interval of
time which differ from crop to crop. The lac insect shows ovo-viviparity i.e. it lays eggs, the young
larvae after hatching remain inside the resinous lac cell. Chrysopa spp, and two lepidopteran, the
Pseudohypatopa pulvera and Eublemma amibilis are the major insect-predators. Besides,
Tachardiaephagus tachardae, Coccophagus tschirchii, Aprostocetus purpureus, Eupelmus tachardiae,
Parechthrodryinus clavicornis are the major parasitoid spp. Pruning of trees, lac insect inoculation,
phunki removal, crop care and harvesting of mature lac crop are the major activities for lac cultivation.