Bees are the new silkworms

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Honey bees with pupal brood cells. Honeybee larvae produce silk to reinforce the wax cells in which they pupate. Image credit Nick Pitsas CSIRO
Honey bees with pupal brood cells. Honeybee larvae produce silk to reinforce the wax cells in which they pupate. Image credit – Nick Pitsas, CSIRO

Moths and butterflies, particularly silkworms, are well known producers of silk. And we all know spiders use it for their webs. But they are not the only invertebrates who make use of the strength and versatility of silk.


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