Why are cocoons of insects very strong?

British biologists Andrew Parker and Abigail Ingram (Oxford University) have found an extremely effective way to pick cocoons of insects that can adhere very firmly to trees.

When studying greta oto butterflies that are common in Costa Rica, experts found that most of the time during the growth cycle they usually live in a cocoon suspended below the leaves. By the time of molting, its skin split into two and then it came out of the cocoon and developed into a butterfly.

Studying the cocoon nest structure, A. Parker and A. Ingram found that at the beginning of this cocoon there were countless tiny hooks capable of clinging to the leaf blade. The adhesion of the hooks is so strong that the scientists cannot separate the cocoon from the leaf blade, except in the case of tearing off the cocoon-shaped blade.

The base of these hooks after penetrating the cocoon shell is intertwined to form a solid structure that, according to scientists' calculations, can guarantee a weight 40 times heavier. cocoon.

(Photo: TTO)

NGUYEN SINH