Kerriidae

Common Name

Lac Insects or Scale Insects

Overview

The Kerriidae family, commonly known as lac insects or scale insects, is known for producing the natural resin called lac. These insects are significant for their role in the production of shellac, a resin used in various industries, including the manufacture of varnishes and the food industry as a glazing agent.

Taxonomy

• Kingdom : Animalia
• Phylum : Arthropoda
• Class : Insecta
• Order : Hemiptera
• Suborder : Sternorrhyncha
• Superfamily : Coccoidea
• Family : Kerriidae

Key Characteristics

• Morphology : These insects are small and have a scale-like appearance during their mature stages.
• Color : Lac insects are often reddish due to the resin they produce.
• Sexual Dimorphism : Males and females exhibit significant differences. Males are smaller, have wings, and live only for a short period, while females are larger and wingless.

Life Cycle

• Eggs : Laid in a mass beneath the female's body.
• Nymphs : Also known as crawlers, these are the mobile stage when the young insects search for a suitable feeding site.
• Adults : The female remains fixed at the feeding site, secreting lac, while the male develops wings and searches for females to mate with.

Behavior and Ecology

• Feeding : Lac insects feed on the sap of host plants, particularly trees such as fig, acacia, and Ficus species.
• Habitat : Primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions, often in India, Thailand, and China.
• Resin Production : Females produce large quantities of lac resin that envelops them and their eggs.

Notable Species

• Kerria lacca : The most economically significant species in the production of commercial lac.

Conservation

• Due to their economic importance, lac insects are cultivated and managed. The conservation of host trees and sustainable farming practices are crucial for maintaining lac insect populations.

Significance to Humans

• Economic : Major source of shellac used in varnish, food glazing, and pharmaceutical industries.
• Cultural : Lac and its by-products have been used historically in traditional art forms, jewelry, and dyeing.

Fun Facts

• All-Natural : Shellac is a natural polymer used as an alternative to synthetic polymers.
• Bio-Friendly : Unlike many synthetic resins, shellac is biodegradable.
• Historic Use : Shellac was used in phonograph records before the advent of vinyl.
• Varied Uses : Besides varnish, shellac is used in traditional medicines in some cultures.
• Renewable Resource : The cultivation of lac insects represents a sustainable way to harvest valuable resin.