Insect waxes. The surface of insects is covered by a layer of wax that, amongst other functions,
serves to restrict movement of water across the cuticle and prevent desiccation. The nature of this
lipid is dependent on species, but in general a high proportion tends to be saturated alkanes (C23 to
C31) often with one or two methyl branches. In addition, wax esters, sterol esters, and free fatty
alcohols and acids may be present. Some species of insect secrete triacylglycerols in their waxestogether with free sterols and other terpenoid components. The composition of beeswax is
discussed above.