Shellac is a natural plastic produced by which of the following?

Shellac is a natural plastic that is produced by parasitic insects known as the lac bug, which primarily live on trees, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The lac bug secretes a resinous substance that hardens into shellac when processed. This resin is harvested for various applications, including woodworking finishes, adhesives, and food coatings, making it a valuable and versatile natural material.

The other options do not apply to the production of shellac. Bees produce honey and beeswax, which have different properties and uses. Synthetic processes refer to man-made materials that do not involve natural sources. Fish scales are also not related to shellac, as they are primarily a source of gelatin and other by-products rather than plastic materials. Therefore, the production of shellac is uniquely tied to the lac bug, establishing the correctness of choosing the option referring to parasitic insects that live on trees.