The life cycle of lac insect generally occur twice a year and insect behaves in two ways depending upon the host tree species that is either Kusum (Kusumi Strains) or hosts other than Kusum Tree(Rangeeni strains).

Lac is not always left on the trees until it matures fully, particularly in case of Baisakhi crops. When it is not mature it (Baisakhi-ari) is cut, living a certain amount on the tree to act as a brood for the next crop. In other crops, Lac is not required for brood purposes and is usually cut before the female insects are fully matured.

The Lac encrustation is separated by knife or broken off with finger from the twigs of host plants and it is known as Sticklac. The Sticklac, after grinding and washing, is called Chowri or Seedlac. The manufactured products prepared from Sticklac after washing and melting, which takes the form of yellow coloured flakes, is called shellac. After melting process, Lac is dropped on a Zinc sheet and allowed to spread out into round discs of about 3" diameter and 1/4" thickness is called buttonlac.

history of shellac | lac to shellac | properties of shellac | application