Lac facts for kids

Lac is a special natural resin that comes from tiny insects! These insects are called lac bugs, and they make this resin to protect themselves. People have used lac for thousands of years to make things like shiny coatings, dyes, and even jewelry. It's a really cool example of how nature provides us with useful materials.

What is Lac?

Lac is a sticky, natural substance made by a tiny insect called the lac bug. The most common type is Kerria lacca. These bugs live on certain trees, mostly in parts of Asia. They suck the sap from the trees and then create a protective shell around themselves. This shell is the lac!

How Lac Bugs Make Lac

Lac bugs are very small, usually only about 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters long. They attach themselves to tree branches and start to feed. As they feed, they produce a special resin from their bodies. This resin covers them and the branch, forming a hard, protective coating. It's like a tiny house they build for themselves!

The Life Cycle of Lac Bugs

The female lac bug is the one that produces most of the lac. After mating, she lays many tiny eggs under her protective lac shell. When the eggs hatch, tiny "crawlers" emerge. These crawlers move to new spots on the tree or to other trees. They then settle down, start feeding, and begin to produce their own lac. This cycle repeats, creating more and more lac.

Where Does Lac Come From?

Lac bugs live on many different types of trees. Some common host trees include the Pongam tree (also known as Honge) and the Ber tree. These trees provide the sap that the lac bugs need to survive and produce their resin. India and Thailand are two of the biggest producers of lac in the world.

Harvesting Lac

When enough lac has built up on the branches, farmers carefully cut off the lac-covered twigs. This raw lac is called "sticklac." It still contains parts of the insects and bits of the tree. The sticklac is then processed to remove impurities and turn it into the useful product we know.

Uses of Lac and Shellac

The raw lac is processed to create different products. The most famous one is called shellac. Shellac is a natural resin that can be melted and shaped. It's also used to make a shiny coating.

Traditional and Modern Uses

• Wood Finish: Shellac is a popular finish for wood. It gives furniture a beautiful, glossy shine and protects it.
• Food Glaze: You might not know it, but shellac is sometimes used as a glaze on candies, pills, and fruits to make them shiny and protect them. It's safe to eat!
• Dye: In the past, lac was a very important source of red dye. This dye was used to color fabrics and other materials.
• Lacquerware: In some cultures, like in Sri Lanka, lac is used to create beautiful, colorful lacquerware. This involves applying layers of lac to objects to create intricate designs.
• Other Uses: Lac is also used in some inks, polishes, and even in fireworks!

Images for kids

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  Lac tubes created by Kerria lacca

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  Resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees is processed and sold as dry flakes.

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  The Pongam tree (Millettia pinnata) is a host plant for lac insects.

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  "Laksha" is a traditional form of lacquerware from Sri Lanka made from shellac.

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  Processed shellac flakes from lac insect resin.