Indian Stag Beetle vs Lac Insect
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Indian Stag Beetle | Lac Insect |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lucanus lunifer | Kerria lacca |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Lucanidae | Kerriidae |
| Size | 40-75 mm (males including mandibles) | 1-3 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | South Asia (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Himalayan region) | Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Indian Stag Beetle
A large, dark brown stag beetle with impressive curved mandibles in males that resemble deer antlers. It is found in montane forests of the Himalayas and is attracted to fermenting tree sap.
Did You Know?
Males use their enlarged mandibles in ritualized combat, attempting to flip rivals off tree branches to win access to sap flows and mates.
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.