The caterpillar larvae of bagworm moths (Tineoidea, jp. Minomushi) form bags f from silk and bamboo material. In collaboration with the National Agriculture Research Organization, Kowa Co. has managed to isolate long fibers from this network, without killing the larvae, and established an effective yarn drawing method. Compared to spider’s silk, this fibre is about 2.2 times as strong, and shows heat resistance up to 340 C. Kowa Co. will try to commercialize this patented finding.

Kowa Co. news release, December 5, 2018