Oak Leafhopper vs Lac Insect
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Oak Leafhopper | Lac Insect |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Typhlocyba quercus | Kerria lacca |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Cicadellidae | Kerriidae |
| Size | 2.5-3.5 mm | 1-3 mm |
| Habitat | Parks | Forests |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Oak Leafhopper
A tiny pale green leafhopper found on oak trees. Feeds by piercing leaf cells, causing pale stippling. Can be extremely abundant on oaks in summer.
Did You Know?
Can occur in such high densities that they rain down from oak trees when branches are shaken.
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.