Calliandra calothyrsus: A Potential Host for the Indian Lac Insect [Kerria lacca (Kerr.)] Cultivation in India

More than 400 host plants have been reported to support lac insects throughout the world but not all have been exploited for their commercial potential except some traditional hosts. In this study, potentially of four host plants viz., Calliandra calothyrsus, Calliandra surinamensis, Dalbergia assamica Malvaviscus penduliflorus kusmi rangeeni Kerria lacca and was evaluated for and strain of (Kerr.) during three consecutive years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. The data on pre and post-harvest parameters ., initial settlement density, mortality, viz fecundity, cell weight, resin weight, broodlac, broodlac ratio and total scrapedlac were recorded based on pre and post-harvest attributes ofrangeeni baisakhi) katki) kusmi jethwi) aghani C. calothyrsus(summer season ( & rainy season ( crop) and summer season ( & winter season ( ). outperformed other hosts during all the three years. In addition to this, is having quick growth, bushy nature and high response C. calothyrsus to coppicing make this host ideal for Lac Integrated Cropping System (LICS).