The females produce waxes in many species to cover the oviposition site or even the eggs to repel water, protect from temps, etc. They were saying this wax reflects UV which insects can see, and this may be a recognition for mating, etc., too. The eye thing is bizarre. I noticed that too, and will see what more Lois O'Brien can tell me about it. Apparently they have pores all over that allow secretion of wax, and some specialized structures for some of the fancy waxes produces. That is why they even cover the wings in Lystra. A relative the whitefly actually breaks off pieces with legs and spreads over body after emergence as adult.

in some species both sexes produce "wax", in others, only the female and nymphs ever seem to have any. My theory is that somehow the wax glands developed (lots of steps there!) and females often use the stuff to cover eggs, as it seems to deflect some parasites and predators. So it would be helpful to some nymphs, too. Sometimes there is even wax on the wings-I've never tried to look for the wax glands there-but we have a couple of species that are all male, and some that are all female, and one of the differences is where the wax is produced, producing a color pattern (in species in Lystra?) so maybe if we ever see a pair together or even on the same tree, we can associate them. It is reported to help some species slip out of spider webs. It is supposed to reflect sunlight, so when Cerogenes fly above the treetops in the evening they remind people on the ground of large snowflakes flashing.

I did learn about the eyes though. The upper red object is indeed the compound eye, but the lower red bulb is part of the antenna. Fulgoroids have a round bulbous first segment with a little hair projecting from it. Also there is some red below on the front of head but that is just pattern.

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