Collection and Conservation of Lac Insects and their Host-Plants: Importance and Strategies

Abstract

Lac is regarded as an important natural heritage of our country as its utility has been known since time immemorial. The financial value of lac insects and their host-plants is of major importance in the economics of tribal lac growers. Cultivation oflac not only provides livelihood to millions of them but also has helped in conserving the vast stretches offorests. Forests are storehouse of lac insect diversity. Over exploitation of these directly affects the survival of lac insects