Silk
Wiki, Facts

 Silk facts

• The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons
• The best-known silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity (sericulture)
• The shimmering appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism-like structure of the silk fibre, which allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles, thus producing different colors
• Silk is produced by several insects, but generally only the silk of moth caterpillars has been used for textile manufacturing
• There has been some research into other types of silk, which differ at the molecular level
• Silk is mainly produced by the larvae of insects undergoing complete metamorphosis, but some insects such as webspinners and raspy crickets produce silk throughout their lives
• Silk production also occurs in Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, and ants), silverfish, mayflies, thrips, leafhoppers, beetles, lacewings, fleas, flies, and midges
• Other types of arthropod produce silk, most notably various arachnids such as spiders