Lac Insect vs South American Lanternfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lac Insect | South American Lanternfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Kerria lacca | Enchophora sanguinea |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Kerriidae | Fulgoridae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 35-50 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Asia | South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
South American Lanternfly
A bright red and black fulgorid planthopper with a moderately elongated head process. It feeds on tree sap in tropical forests and is most active at night. When disturbed, it reveals hindwings with dark eyespot patterns.
Did You Know?
Despite the name lanternfly, neither this species nor any other fulgorid actually produces light.