Question

State the economic importance of lac culture.

Answer 1

Lac is obtained from the Indian lac insect Laccifer (Tachardia lacca). The lac insect feeds on the sap of the host tree. During an unfavourable season, lac is secreted as a protective covering around the twigs of trees mostly by the females. This lac is scrapped from the twigs and processed to get shell lac. Thus, lac is a resinous substance.

Economic importance of lac is:

• Shell lac is used in the preparation of paints, varnishes, polishes.

• It is used in making printing ink, button and pots, in filling ornaments such as bangles.

• It is used in insulating material.