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Indian moon moth caterpillar
Indian moon moth caterpillar (Actias selene) feeding on a leaf. This caterpillar is used as a source of protein for experimental work on biomimetic (mimicking nature) silk thread production. The caterpillar's gland used to produce silk protein is much larger than that of the silkworm and A. selene is cheaper to feed. The prototype device converts the caterpillar's liquid protein into tough, spun fibre. Natural spinning processses are energy efficient, so by mimicking nature (biomimetics), future materials could be based on sustainable, non-polluting processes. The company developing this technology is called Spinox, and is based in Oxford, UK.
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