Valid Names Results

Kerria chinensis chinensis (Mahdihassan, 1923) (Tachardiidae (= Kerriidae): Kerria)

Nomenclatural History

• Lakshadia chinensis Mahdihassan 1923: 98. Type data: CHINA (south) and BURMA: host plant not indicated.. Syntypes, female and first instar, accepted valid name Notes: Depository of type material unknown (Kapur, 1958; Varshney, 1976).
• Laccifer chinensis (Mahdihassan, 1923); Chamberlin 1925: 39. change of combination
• Laccifer longispina Misra 1930: 161. Type data: INDIA: Assam, Laflong, on Cajanus indicus.. Syntypes, female and first instar, junior synonym (discovered by Varshn1976, 28). Notes: Varshney (1976: 28) reported that no type material was found at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, where Dr. A.B. Misra has been working. Illustr.
• Tachardia chinensis (Mahdihassan, 1923); Lindinger 1933b: 228. change of combination
• Tachardia longispina (Misra, 1930); Lindinger 1933b: 228. change of combination
• Laccifer siamensis Takahashi 1941: 140. Type data: THAILAND: Mt. Sutep, near Chiengmai, on unknown tree.. Holotype, female, junior synonym (discovered by Mahdih1952, 39). Notes: The type was lost, according to information given by R. Takahashi to A.P. Kapur (Kapur, 1958).
• Kerria chinensis (Mahdihassan, 1923); Varshney 1966: 117. change of combination
• Kerria chinensis chinensis (Mahdihassan, 1923); Varshney 1984b: 368. change of combination and rank

Common Names

• Chinese lac insect Cardon2007

Ecological Associates

Hosts:

Families: 18 | Genera: 37

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• BashirWaLi2021: pp.6 ( Adult (F) ) [Kerria from China]
• TalukdDa2020: pp.10-12 ( Adult (F) ) [Kerria species]
• MishraSu2000: pp.216-217 ( Adult (F) ) [Kerria species of India]
• Varshn1976: pp.21 ( Adult (F) ) [India]
• Misra1930: pp.161 ( Adult (F) ) [India]

Remarks

• Systematics: The original description reads: "Next darkest lac comes from Assam and Indo-China. I feel sure, it is the same insect as found in South China and also in Burma. I therefore propose naming it Lakshadia chinensis. The long spinoid process and the rib-like chitinous extensions of the stigmatic processes should be additional guides in its identification (Mahdihassan, 1923: 98). Kapur (1958) and Varshney (1976) noted that the depository of type material was unknown. However, Varshney (1976) indicated that Mahdihassan informed him (in litt.) that he sent his specimens to the British Museum, London. Varshney inquired at the BMNH about such material and was informed that no information was available in London regarding material submitted by S. Mahdihassan.
• Structure: Mahdihassan (1952) reported and described in great detail the oldest specimens of lac in the world, which he identified as belonging to Kerria chinensis. The specimens have been imported in the eight century A.D. from Siam [=Thailand] and are deposited in the "Shso-in" (the Imperial warehouse) at Nara, Japan. Kerria chinensis has two male forms, one winged and the other wingless. Winged males are larger and are the more common form but their testes are smaller than those of wingless males. (Seubparu, et al., 2018)
• Biology: The phylogenetic relationships among seven species of lac insects using a cladistic approach showed that K. chinensis was the earliest diverging member of the group exhibiting similar morphological characters. (Chen, et al., 2011)
• Economic Importance: Main commercial species used in the lac industry in Thailand. (Chen, et al. 2011)
• General Remarks: Chamberlin (1925) noted that it was quite impossible to speculate safely as to the real identity of this species. Varshney (1976, 1984b) regarded it as a distinct sub-species. Varshney (1976) gave a good description and illustration of the adult female, based on material from Thailand, Chiengmai, coll. D.C. Thurman, June 5, 1952 (deposited at USNM).

Illustrations

Citations