STUDIES ON ECOLOGICAL FACTORS ON WAX SECRETION OF WHITE WAX SCALES

From 1991 to 1995 experiments on artificial iflection of white wax scales were respectively made in the temperate zone, Ludian, the north subtropical zone, Kunming, south subtropical zone, Jingdong and the tropical zone, Jinghong. The authors aim at finding out the effects of different ecological factors on wax secretion of white wax scales. It was shown that the scales grew and developed well and the male secreted wax normally but from March to May host trees withered in the tropics because of high temperature, drought, fierce sunshine and high evaperation, and therefore the first-instar male scales on leaves were more or less influenced by these factors. In mid-May when rainy season came, temperature decreased and humidity became high, the withered plants revived under favourable water and humidity conditions, so the second-instar male could secrete wax regularly when they came to fix on branches. The experimental results have demonstrated that temperate and subtropical zones were suitable for developing white wax production and in some parts of the tropics where water and humidity conditions were desired, production of white wax might as well be considered. The experimental results will not only make great contributions to the white wax research, but also are of great significance for extending production areas of white wax, eradicating poverty and improving people's life in mountainous areas.