| Kerria lacca | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Superfamily: | Coccoidea |
| Family: | Kerriidae |
| Genus: | Kerria |
| Species: | K. lacca |
| Binomial name | |
| Kerria lacca (Kerr, 1782) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Kerria lacca is a species of scale insect of the family Kerriidae. It is most well known for secreting lac, a scarlet substance that is used for dyeing wool and silk, as a cosmetic, and as a medicinal drug. Kerria lacca insects inhabit trees in colonies of thousands and secrete the resinous substance.
Kerria lacca excretions can be processed to produce shellac.