10 lesser-known creatures that produce silk

When we think of silk, we imagine silkworms spinning their threads to produce the fine silk we all love. But do you know the world of silk production extends far beyond the insect. Silk is used for varying purposes which not only include its traditional use in the textile industry but also serves as a critical survival tool in the animal kingdom, enabling creatures to build shelters, capture prey, or protect their offspring. After silkworms, perhaps spiders are the most famous silk producers, however they are not alone. At least 23 groups of insects, along with several other arthropods, have evolved the ability to naturally produce silk. Let us explore these creatures that also produce silk.

Hornets produce silk but not in the traditional sense like silkworms or spiders. Oriental hornets have a unique biological feature related to thermoelectric energy. When the eggs of hornets hatch, the young larvae immediately secrete silk fibers. These fibers make for protective covering for the larvae from outside. The silk produced here is usd by the insect for protection.

As a part of their mating ritual, some male dance flies produce silk to make empty balloons. The males have large leg segments that house glands that produce silk. When the silk is produced it is used to make air-filled polygons, which they eventually give to the females as a nuptial gift.

The larvae of certain fungus gnats produce silk from their mouth. They then weave the silk threads to form webs that are designed to trap prey. These threads are coated with mucus from the insect which makes them sticky. The web emits a bioluminescent glow, which they use to lure insects into their sticky silk snares.

Female lacewings produce a serine-rich protein silk which they use to support their eggs. The stalks are thread-like and attach to plants. The stalks keep the young larvae from eating each other after hatching.

Pistol or snapping shrimps, types of shrimps, produce a form of waterproof adhesive proteins. This protein helps the creature to build their burrows or attach eggs and other objects underwater. The adhesive material is not exactly silk but it has similar features.

Caddisflies are a large group of aquatic insects. It is not the adults rather the larvae that produce silk, from their labial glands. This silk is used to create nets and retreats, to protect themselves in the aquatic environment.

Webspinners are nocturnal insects found in the tropics and subtropics. These termite looking creatures have glands on the tarsi of their front legs that produce silk. They use their silk to create extensive webs of tunnels, and nests for habitation.

Ermine moth caterpillars also known as silk moths are capable of producing silk. They create silk webs that can cover entire trees or bushes. They use this sheet as a protection while feeding, but they can spread too, when several female adults lay their eggs in close proximity.

The larvae of weaver ants produce silk in the form of hollow nanofibers. The adult ants then use nanofibers to weave leaves together to construct their nests. To get the silk out of the larvae the adult ants have to tap the head of the larvae.

Some goats are genetically engineered to produce silk.The embryo of goat is inserted with Spider silk genes. The silk is then extracted from the milk of such goats and is used to spin into thread for a variety of applications like- bulletproof vests, fishing line, medical sutures ,repairing human ligaments and tendons, and producing parachutes and airbags.