WAX-INSECT. A name for two or more scale-insects, but also equally applicable to sev eral other insects. Ericcrus pela, called by the Chinese lah-shoo, which makes the so-called Chi nese white wax, is found about the beginning of ;lune on the branches of an ash (Fru.rinus nensis) and certain other trees. It has long been cultivated in China for its wax, which is used chiefly in carolle-making, although the in dustry has declined since the introduction into China of kerosene oil. Though little is known of the insect. it is altogether likely the females produce larger quantities than the winged males, which are popularly reputed to be prouluc•ers. It is said that the wax is scraped off of the branches toward the end of August, melted with boiling water. and strained through cloth. The insect has been introduced into Algeria by the French. The East Indian \ X-in sect (Ceroplastes ceri ferns), which is found on Cclastrus and other trees, is rather rare and has not been used commercially. Its wax is not altogether suitable for eandle-making, as both the wax itself and its mixtures with olive oil burn with a dim, smoky light, and give out a resinous odor. The wax, which is reputed medicinal, is sweet when fresh and is eaten by children.
Two American sea le-insects, the barnacle scale (Ceroplastes eirripediformis) and Ceroplastes F1ouideusis, are known as wax-scales. No com mercial use has been made of their wax. Nearly all of the Coccithe secrete wax in varying pro portions, most of them only in small amounts. Several species of the geniis Icerya, however, secrete large quantities. In leery(' ,Egyptiaeum and leerya Montscrratensis wax is secreted to form the egg-sac and also in long filaments which so readily break off that a jar or a shake of a badly infested tree will bring down the wax in quantity. In the genus Pulvinaria also white
wax is secreted for the protection of eggs.
Certain of the lantern-flies (q.v.) of the fam ily Fulgorid:e secrete large quantities of a white flocculent wax, and in tropical America the small lantermllies of the genus Phenax fly about with masses of this waxy substance sometimes twice as long as their bodies. This fulgorid wax is said to be used in China for candles, etc. The larva of an East Indian species (Phroninia mar ginella) are covered with masses of white wax which is secreted by small glands distributed over the abdomen.
Various plant-lice or aphids (q.v.), especially the genera Pemphigus. Chermes, and Sellizoncura, nl-o secrete white wax from glands which replace the honey-tubes. One species (Larhnus longis tigaza) inf.-4s certain coniferous trees in the United States, and when abundant the insects may be scraped oil and sifted to obtain the wax. Sonic of the Psyllidte also produce waxen threads.
Certain caterpillars secrete wax, as the larva' of one of the Tortricida? (Rctinia rcsinella) and of a butterfly (Parnassius apollo) ; the bodies of cer tain sawfiy larva' are covered with a white, powdery, waxen secretion, in one case (genus Se nearly concealing the body. The wax in all of these insects is secreted by small one celled skin-glands which in the Hemiptera are distributed nearly all over the body, but in the bees are restricted either to the under or upper side of the end of the abdomen. See BEE.