New species of lac insect found in State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 16 2020: A new species of lac insect which was not hitherto reported from any part of the world has been discovered in the State.

In the course of a study carried out at Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal under ICAR's All India Network Project since 2018, a new species of lac insect named Kerria Manipurensis was discovered.

CAU, College of Agriculture Associate Professor (Entomology) Dr Kh Ibohal said that they have been studying resin-producing insets and the plants they feed on in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands arid the Northeastern States of Sikkim, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh.

Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.

With the exception of Tripura, lac insects of different species were found feeding on different plants in the other six North East States, Dr Ibohal said.

But the Kerria Manipurensis species found in Manipur has not been reported from any part of the world so far, he asserted.

Kerria Manipurensis was found abundantly on Morok Lei (Malvaviscus Penduli-florus) and also on Ureirom (Mallotus Phillipensis), Tera plant (Bombax Ceiba) and mango plants.

Experiment with some plants brought from the Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums, Ranchi found that Kerria Manipurensis like these plants too, Dr Ibohal said.

It has been established that Kerria Manipurensis thrives well in germplasm centres and research farms, he continued.

Natural resins produced by lac insects can be utilised for different purposes.

They can be used in manufacturing drugs, ornaments, furniture items, polish, magnetic disks including gramophone records etc, he said.

Dr Ibohal then opined that a substantial amount of income can be ensured if farmers can identify this insect and protect them.

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