Division of Transfer of Technology, Indian Lac Research Institute, Namkum, Ranchi-834 010, Bihar (India).
The two strains i.e., rangeeni and kusmi of Indian lac insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr.) were successfully grown on fruits of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata). Life period was favourably reduced from 184.9 and 109.6 to 154.3 and 100.9 days, respectively for kusmi and rangeeni strains. Amount of resin secreted by the insects decreased on pumpkin. The reduction was more in kusmi (36.9%) as compared to rangeeni (27.5%). Mortality of lac insects on pumpkin was almost doubled. Also, proportion of males in the cultures increased sharply. The insect completed its life cycle satisfactorily providing viable progeny without much affecting its fertility. The two strains showed differential behaviour in respect of amount of resin secreted, mortality inflicted and total life period when cultured on pumpkin.
