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Silkworms -

Humans have farmed silkworms for centuries because they are a great source of, you guessed it, silk! In Thailand, for example, their cocoons are used to make luxurious fabrics and clothing.

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Silkworms -

More recently, however, scientists have turned their attention to silkworms for another reason: it is thought that silk fibroin, a protein extracted from silk fiber, could be used as a drug carrier for medicines.

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Silkworms -

This is not the first time that scientists have looked to insects for medical solutions. In fact, they are a rich resource when it comes to treating various conditions that affect humans.

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Medical maggots -

The common green bottle fly is found in most countries of the world. What many don't know is that its larvae have antibacterial properties.

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Medical maggots -

In fact, the larvae of common green bottle flies have been used for the purpose of wound healing in traditional medicine for centuries.

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Medical maggots -

According to recent studies, the antibacterial properties of so-called 'medical maggots' mean that they can accelerate wound healing and disinfection.

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Spanish flies -

The Spanish fly is an emerald green blister beetle that can be found across Europe and Asia. It secretes an important substance called cantharidin.

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Spanish flies -

Cantharadin is, on its own, poisonous. However, it is the active ingredient in YCANTH, a topical treatment used to fight the viral skin infection molluscum contagiosum.

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Spanish flies -

As well as being used for this purpose, in Asian medicine cantharadin is also currently being explored as a possible cancer treatment.

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Cochineal insects -

These tiny, soft-bodied insects can be found living on prickly pear cacti in South America and the southwest United States.

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Cochineal insects -

Cochineal insects produce a substance called carminic acid, which experts believe may provide protection against fructose-induced kidney injury.

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Cochineal insects -

Female cochineal insects are also used to create carmine, a red pigment that is used as a dye for foods and pharmaceutical products.

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Fruit flies -

Looking at the anatomy of fruit flies has greatly helped scientists further their understanding of innate immunity in humans.

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Fruit flies -

Indeed, the discovery of the toll gene, which is crucial for the production of an antimicrobial response in fruit flies, informed important subsequent research into innate immunity in mammals.

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Fruit flies -

Fruit flies, which have a very short lifespan and are therefore useful for tracking multi-generational development, have also been used in other medical research, such as research that looks at cancer.

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Polybia paulista -

This species of wasps, which is particularly prevalent in the region of São Paulo, Brazil (hence the name), is being looked at in the context of cancer treatment.

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Polybia paulista -

In 2015, it was found to produce a venom that contains a toxin that kills cancer cells without simultaneously harming normal, healthy ones.

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Polybia paulista -

More research is needed, however, before scientists are able to determine whether the venom would make a viable treatment. Indeed, the wasp also produces a variety of other toxins that can cause severe allergic reactions.

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Honey bees -

Humans have been using honey as a traditional wound treatment for centuries. In fact, its therapeutic potential was discovered as early as 2000 BCE.

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Honey bees -

In 2007, Manuka honey, which is made from plants indigenous to New Zealand and Australia, was approved by the FDA as a wound treatment.

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Honey bees -

In general, however, the honey used specifically for medical purposes tends to be sterilized and more effective than grocery store honey.

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Dragonflies -

Researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology have created a titanium surface that is designed to destroy fungus. Their inspiration? Dragonfly wings.

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Dragonflies -

According to their research, the structure of dragonfly wings, and in fact other insect wings, is such that it can physically rupture microbes.

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Dragonflies -

This important discovery may inform medical researchers in their mission to reduce hospital-acquired infections.

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Cockroaches -

Last but not least we have the humble cockroach, which scientists believe may be able to provide a new non-dairy milk alternative.

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Cockroaches -

As far as researchers are aware, there is only one species of cockroach that is able to produce milk–the pacific beetle cockroach.

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Cockroaches -

According to some experts, cockroach milk could be the next superfood: it is high in nutrients and its calories are time released.

Sources: (CNN)

See also: The surprising health benefits of clove oil

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