Answer: Lac is a resinous substance secreted by the dermal glands of the female lac insect, Tachardia lacca (Laccifer lacca), which lives on host plants such as kusum, palas and ber. It hardens on the twigs as a protective covering; this stick lac is processed into shellac. Rearing of lac insects is called lac culture.
Economic importance:
- Used in making varnishes, polishes and paints.
- Used in sealing wax, and for making toys, bangles, ornaments and buttons.
- Used as an electrical insulator and in making gramophone records.
- Used in printing inks, adhesives and in leather and dyeing industries.
- Used for coating tablets and in filling ornaments of gold and silver; lac dye was used in cosmetics.
- Lac culture provides employment and income to rural and tribal people.
