genetics

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.