Development study of Vespula silk as new silk material

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K07803
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Insect science
• Research Institution: National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (2016-2017); 国立研究開発法人農業生物資源研究所 (2015)
• Principal Investigator: KAMEDA Tsunenori 国立研究開発法人農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 生物機能利用研究部門, ユニット長 (70334042)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 昆虫新素材

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Silk fiber can be reeled from cocoons produced by Bombyx mori silkworm. Other than Bombyx more silkworm, many insects make a cocoon consisting of silk. For most of the cocoons of such insects, it is difficult or impossible to reel fibers. However, silk’s attraction as a material does not end with the original spun fiber that can be reeled from a cocoon. Reconstituted or reconditioned silk liquid can be turned into various forms, such as films, gels, tubes, sponges, blocks and powders, which have found use in all manner of applications. Larvae of Vespula (Hymenoptera) wrap themselves into a silky cocoon to protect themselves during metamorphosis inside the cells of their comb-like nest. The objective of the present study is to develop a method to fabricate the film from Vespula silk.

Free Research Field

昆虫利用学