Dickson, R.C. 1951 Construction of the scale covering of Aonidiella aurantii (Mask.). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 44: 596-602.

Notes: Aonidiella aurantii, an armored scale, forms its covering from exuviae and from material secreted by the glands in its pygidium. This material is secreted in the form of filaments and is formed into the shell-like covering by the action of its pygidium. During this period the insect rotates to produce the circular covering. This rotation is through not more than 540 degrees. Scale coverings were found to consist, by weight, of about 8 percent exuviae, 45 percent waxes, and 47 percent secreted proteinaceous matieral. Pure scale-covering wax melted at 86 - 88 degrees C.