What is shellac primarily made from?

Shellac is a natural resin that is secreted by the female lac insect, which is indeed a bug, making the first choice accurate. It is harvested from the branches of trees, where the insect secretes the resin, which is then processed to create shellac.

While shellac itself is not directly made from a plant extract, the lac insect feeds on tree sap, thereby connecting it to plant material. This relationship illustrates how the composition of shellac is derived from organic processes involving both insects and plants.

Furthermore, shellac is dissolved in an alcohol solvent to create a workable finish, which is important for its application in wood finishing. This is another component that supports the idea that shellac involves multiple elements in its formulation.

Thus, saying that shellac is made from all of the aforementioned ingredients – the insect, the plant interaction, and the alcohol solvent – reflects the complexity of its composition. This comprehensive understanding justifies why the choice encompassing all options is the most appropriate.