Calliandra calothyrsus: A Potential Host for the Indian Lac Insect [Kerria lacca (Kerr.)] Cultivation in India

More than 400 host plants have been reported to support lac insects throughout the world but not all have been exploited for their commercial potential except some traditional hosts. In this study, potentially of four host plants viz., Calliandra calothyrsus, Calliandra surinamensis, Dalbergia assamica and Malvaviscus penduliflorus was evaluated for kusmi and rangeeni strain of Kerria lacca (Kerr.) during three consecutive years 2014–15, 2015–16 and 2016–17. The data on pre and post-harvest parameters viz., initial settlement density, mortality, fecundity, cell weight, resin weight, broodlac, broodlac ratio and total scrapedlac were recorded based on pre and post-harvest attributes of rangeeni (summer season (baisakhi) & rainy season (katki) crop) and kusmi summer season (jethwi) & winter season (aghani). C. calothyrsus outperformed other hosts during all the three years. In addition to this, C. calothyrsus is having quick growth, bushy nature and high response to coppicing make this host ideal for Lac Integrated Cropping System (LICS).