Life cycle of lac insect, Kerria lacca kerr in similipal Biosphere Reserve

Lac a natural resin is secreted by a tiny scale insect, Kerria lacca Kerr. Its primary host plants such as kusum (Schleichera oleosa), palas (Butea monosperma) and ber (Zizyphus mauritiana) are available in peripheral and buffer zones of Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR). An attempt has been made to study its life cycle and life span in different zones of SBR. Two strains, i.e., kusmi and rangeeni of lac insect are bivoltine in nature at SBR. The longest life span of 8 months 5 days was observed in baisakhi (summer) crop and shortest life span of 3 months 16 days is seen in katki (rainy) crop of rangeeni strain on palas tree in peripheral zone. The buffer zone also showed the same trend. The life span of young ranges from 44–111 days for all the crops, strains and host plants. The life span of adult male is 2–3 days and the life span of female insect varies between 62–148 days for different crops. The variation of life span of male, female as well as young occurs due to temperature, host plants and strains of lac insect.