Lac Insect vs Birdwing Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lac Insect | Birdwing Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Kerria lacca | Ornithoptera alexandrae |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Kerriidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 210-310 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Asia | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Lac Insect
Produces lac resin — the raw material for shellac, used in wood finishes, food glazing, and pharmaceutical coatings. One of the few insects commercially farmed for a secretion.
Did You Know?
It takes roughly 300,000 lac insects to produce 1 kg of shellac — the coating on your shiny chocolate candy or pharmaceutical pill likely came from these tiny bugs.
Birdwing Butterfly
The largest butterfly in the world with a wingspan up to 31 cm. Found only in a small area of Papua New Guinea. Females are larger but males have brighter blue-green coloring.
Did You Know?
Queen Alexandras birdwing is so large it was first collected by shooting it with a shotgun — it remains the worlds largest butterfly with a wingspan wider than a dinner plate.