After moulting, they cover their body with microscopic secretary granules. These brochosomes provide a protective surface that is highly water repellent. It is also repellent to the insect's own liquid excretory waste, which due to its high sugar content is rather sticky and constitutes a potential hazard to any insect that doesn't have a non-stick surface. Individual brochosomes tend to be small (0.2-0.7µm), hollow, truncated icosohedral spheres (i.e. the same shape as a soccer ball) with a honeycombed outer wall.