Two scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (IINRG), Ranchi, have discovered lac insect on rain tree and pipal tree in the peripheral areas of Jawadhu Hills, Gandhi Nagar in Katpadi and Vellore Fort.
Lac is a natural resin secreted by a tiny insect – Kerria lacca (Kerr) for its own protection. This was an important resin because it was commercially used in various industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, varnishes, sealing wax, lubricants and insulating materials.
In fact, the resin was a major source of livelihood for tribals in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal as it was traditionally used in making jewellery, according to the scientists.
The scientists from ICAR-IINRG – Vaibhav D. Lohot (plant physiology) and A. Mohanasundaram (entomology) - came across the lac insect and their host plants during a survey across various parts of Vellore district including Yelagiri hill, Alangayam, Tirupattur, Vaniyambadi and Gudiyatham, and Kancheepuram and Tiruvannamalai districts, from October 28 to 31.
“We have conducted surveys across Tamil Nadu. We had carried out surveys in Madurai and Theni in 2011 and in Salem in 2014 and found the insect on Rain tree, known as ‘Thoongu moonchi maram’ in Tamil,” Mr. Mohanasundaram said.
Now, the two scientists, said, for the first time, they have found the lac insect and their host plants in the peripheral areas of Jawadhu Hills that is Venkatesapuram, Gandhi Nagar in Katpadi and Vellore Fort. It was found on Rain tree and Pipal tree (‘Arasa maram’), he added. The insect’s host plants were also observed during the survey.
He said the resin had medicinal value and was used in creams for treating cracked heels, tablet coating and also in Ayurveda.
Lac insect was reported in the State from the 1930s. However, over the years, lac insect cultivation has lost importance in the State, and people were not aware of it now, leading to disappearance of the insect from southern parts of India, the scientists said.
It is here that ICAR-IINRG has been playing a pivotal role. With India being a leading producer and exporter of lac resin in the world, ICAR-IINRG that was established in 1924 is exclusively dedicated to lac insect cultivation. The institute has been taking up exploration, collection and conservation of lac insect and host plants throughout the country on a regular basis.
“This exploration activity was mainly taken up to conserve lac insect, its host plant biodiversity from extinction,” he said.
High temperatures
With this discovery, the scientists will be taking samples of the insect for morphology and molecular study. “The insect is usually found in areas where the temperature is between 36 and 37 degree Celsius. We will also study how it exists in a place like Vellore where temperature levels are high,” he added.
This discovery, they say, has brightened the scope of lac cultivation in the State and will provide income source to many people.
They will return to collect samples of broodlac, matured mother cells, to look into the scope for cultivation.
