Pruinescence

Pruinescence , or pruinosity, is a "frosted" or dusty-looking coating on top of a surface. It may also be called a pruina (plural: pruinae), from the Latin word for hoarfrost. The adjectival form is pruinose .

==Entomology== In insects, a "bloom" caused by wax particles on top of an insect's cuticle covers up the underlying coloration, giving a dusty or frosted appearance. The pruinescence is commonly white to pale blue in color but can be gray, pink, purple, or red; these colors may be produced by Tyndall scattering of light. When pale in color, pruinescence often strongly reflects ultraviolet.