Page 7 - Descriptors of lac insect - IINRG, Ranchi

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[4embers of family Tachardiidae (=Kerriidae) (Homoptera : Coccoidea)
are commonly known as lac insects. The family ischaracterized bysclerotized
leatures ol the adult female. The outer lac encrustation called lac cell, does
not always help in recognition, although it provides indicators in some cases,
e.9., lac is resinous and alcohol soluble in sub"family Tachardiinae, but hard,
horny and insoluble in Tachardiininae. 89 species ol lac insects have been
described from all over the world. The distribution ol lac insects is restricted
mainly to tropical and sub-tropical regions, 400 North and Soulh ol Equator.
lndia is endowed wilh rich wealth of lac insect resources. More than 20 %
lac insect biodiversity reported lrom the world is found in our country under
two genera /.e., Kenb (14 species) and Pamtachardina (5 species). Species
ol Paratachardina do not produce lrue lac and are considered pests ol
economically important plants but have been utilized as bio-control agents for
c0ntrolling weeds. A few species of Keffla are exploiled commercially in lndia
and some South Asian countries tor production ol three economic products
vlz, resin, wax and dye.
Lac insect genetic diversity isthe key componenl ol any lac production
system. This biodiversity has been utilized either directly lor lac cultivation
or as source of useful traits that ian be used in breeding improved varieties.
Collection, conservation and suslainable use of these resources tequire
specilic attention keeping in view their importance. lndian lnstitute Natural
Resins and Gums (llNRG), Banchi is the only research institute devoted to
research and developmenton lac and thus, has responsibilitylo conservethe
biodiversity lor the posterity. lt hasthe mandate olcollecting, conserving and
evaluating lac insects. Lac jnsect germplasm diversity has been collected lrom
ditlerent agro-climatic zones ol the country which is enriched continually.

Basic unit in Animal Genetic Flesources information management is
descriptor Hence, data needs to be standardized in terms of descriptors
0r descriptor states for making an information system meaningful and
applicable. Developing descriptors lor characterization and evaluation ol
dilferent lac insects is a pre-requisite lor the National Database. Descriptors
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