Kerriidae is a family of scale insects, commonly known as lac insects or lac scales, erected by Karl Lindinger in 1937.
Some members of the genera Metatachardia, Tachardiella, Austrotacharidia, Afrotachardina, Tachardina, and Kerria are raised for commercial purposes, though the most commonly cultivated species is Kerria lacca. These insects secrete a waxy resin that is harvested and converted commercially into lac and shellac, used in various dyes, cosmetics, food glazes, wood finishing varnishes and polishes.
Commercially-used species include: Kerria lacca – true lac scale Paratachardina decorella – rosette lac scale Paratachardina pseudolobata – lobate lac scale
Genera The Global Biodiversity Information FacilityGlobal Biodiversity Information Facility: family Keriidae (retrieved 19 July 2025) lists: Afrotachardina Albotachardina Austrotachardia Austrotachardiella Kerria - type genus Laccifer Metatachardia Paratachardina Tachardia Tachardiella Tachardina
See also Shellac Lac (resin)
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Taxonomy