wax scale

Definition

A wax scale is the final result of the wax biosynthetic process. It is produced by the wax glands on the ventral side of the abdomen of a worker bee. The excretions of the wax glands condense on the outer surface of the wax plates, where the wax hardens to form a pentagonoid shaped wax scale with rounded corners, a thickness of about 0.2-0.5 mm, a length of about 1.4 mm, a witdth of about 2.1 mm and a weight of about 1.1 mg.

References

  1. Hepburn H., Pirk C., Duangphakdee O. 2014 Conversion of Wax Scales into Comb Wax. Honeybee Nests: Composition, Structure, Function. Ed. Hepburn H., Pirk C., Duangphakdee O. Springer. pp. 259-272. [2026-1-5] doi.org
  2. Bogdanov S. 2016 Beeswax: Production, Properties, Composition, Control. Bee Product Science.
  3. Shaheen AaM., El-Din EON., Bedewy MMM., Metwally MMM. 2024 Morphometrical Studies on the Egyptian Honeybee Apis mellifera Lamarckii. Journal of Plant Protection and Pathology. Vol. 15, (8) pp. 229-233. doi: 10.21608/jppp.2024.294704.1239
Creator: Michael Rubinigg
Properties

Label

wax scale

EUPH Code (UID)

[7413]

EUPH IRI

https://app.pollinatorhub.eu/vocabulary/classes/7413

Descriptor

n/a

This class is part of the ontology

Created

2024-11-02

Updated

2026-04-25
Contributors

Class

Author: Michael Rubinigg

Definition

Author: Michael Rubinigg

Translation

Authors: Michael Rubinigg, Michael Rubinigg

Class translations

Filters

Columns

12 results
References
Danish

voksskæl

Noun, Neuter, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
1
Dutch; Flemish

wasschubje

Noun, Neuter, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
1
English

wax scale

Noun, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
1
French

écaille

Noun, Feminine, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
1
German

Wachsschüppchen

Noun, Neuter, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
1
German

Wachsschuppe

Noun, Feminine, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
0
Italian

scaglia di cera

Compound noun, Feminine, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
1
Norwegian

voksskjell

Noun, Neuter, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
0
Portuguese

escama de cera

Compound noun, Feminine, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
1
Romanian; Moldavian; Moldovan

solz de ceară

Compound noun, Masculine, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
1
Spanish; Castilian

escama de cera

Compound noun, Feminine, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
1
Swedish

vaxfjäll

Noun, Neuter, Singular

Michael Rubinigg
Approved
1