Lac (resin)

The leading producer of lac is Jharkhand, followed by the Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra states of India.

[citation needed] Lac production is also found in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, parts of China, and Mexico.

The word lac is derived from the Sanskrit word lākshā '(लाक्षा) representing the number 100 thousand, which was used for both the lac insect (because of their enormous number) and the scarlet resinous secretion it produces that was used as wood finish, lacquerware, skin cosmetic, ornaments and dye for wool and silk in ancient India and neighbouring areas.

[7] The bugs' life cycles can produce two sticklac yields per year, though it may be better to rest for six months to let the host tree recover.

On the other hand, if seedlac or shellac is being produced, most insects can escape because less coloured pale lac is generally more desired.

It was used in ancient India and neighbouring areas as wood finish, skin cosmetic, lacquerware and dye for wool and silk.

[citation needed] India exported significant amounts of sticklac derivatives, especially lac dye, from the 1700s to the late 1800s.

While India, Thailand, and China are the major lac producers, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka also play small roles.

Lac tubes created by Kerria lacca
Resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees is processed and sold as dry flakes.
Pongam or honge ( Millettia pinnata ) is a native of India and grows in profusion, generally planted as avenue trees by the forest department. It is renowned for its shade and is well known in traditional uses for its medicinal properties. It is also grown as a host plant for lac insects. The tree is also one of the food plants for common cerulean ( Jamides celeno ).
"Laksha" is a traditional form of lacquerware from Sri Lanka which is made from shellac derived from Lac.
Processed shellac flakes from lac insect resin.