An illustrated diagnostics of lac insect Kerria lacca (Kerr) as exemplified. through advanced staining and microscopy techniques

A new and improved differential staining technique has been explored for the permanent mount preparation of the females of lac insect Kerria lacca (Kerr). The salient taxonomic characters had been illustrated using this technique, supplemented with the Scanning Electron Microcopy (SEM) studies. These have revealed a definite pattern of the dorsal duct cluster, stigmatic spinose setae on the brachial plate, pre-anal plate, sclerotized collar of the nuclear ducts of marginal duct cluster and six sectored anal ring not recorded earlier. Post-oral lobes, rudimentary legs and traces of segmentation observed on the ventral aspect adds to the knowledge on its morphology. All these are likely to have implications on its classification in subgenera and species.