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It is secreted by an insect called Kerria lacca which feed on the saps of host trees like palas, peepal, kusum, sissoo, kul, gular, siras, and banyan. These trees are extensively found in the Gangetic plains, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, J hark hand, Maharashtra and Assam. India has a monopoly in lac production in the world. It is used for dyeing silk, making bangles, paints, munitions, fireworks, gramophone records, sealing wax, electrical insulation material, shoe-dressing, plasticmoulding, spirit , baking enamels, and anti-moulding compository for ships.