JP2021177786A - Thread collection device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a thread collection method capable of collecting pure silk thread derived from bagworms, easily from bagworms in few steps; and to provide a thread collection device for executing the thread collection method.SOLUTION: A device for collecting silk thread from bagworms includes a container for storing bagworms, and entrance/exit holes for bagworms to the container, in which the container is constituted so that the width of the maximum short axis cross section in the internal space is within a range of 1.2 times or more and less than 3.1 times of the maximum barrel width of stored bagworms.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

The present invention is a device for collecting silk thread derived from a moth larva belonging to the family Bagworm, that is, a bagworm (hereinafter, often referred to as "thread collection device" in the present specification), and purity using the thread collection device. It relates to a method of collecting silk thread derived from a high-grade bagworm.

Threads that make up insect cocoons and mammalian hair have been used as animal fibers in clothing and the like since ancient times. In particular, silk moth-derived silk thread (often referred to as "silk moth silk thread" in this specification), which is a larva of silk moth (Bombyx mori), has excellent moisture absorption / desorption, moisture retention, and heat retention, and has a unique luster and smoothness. It is still prized as a high-class natural material because it has a soft texture.

However, in nature, there are animal fibers with properties comparable to or better than those of silk moth silk. In recent years, in order to utilize animal fiber with such excellent properties as a new natural material, its search and research are being promoted.

One of the things that is attracting attention is the spider-derived thread (often referred to as "spider thread" in the present specification). Spider silk has flexibility, elasticity, and high elasticity 5 to 6 times that of polystyrene, and is expected as a medical material such as surgical sutures and a special material such as disaster prevention ropes and protective clothing. (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). However, spider silk has a problem that it cannot be mass-produced and the production cost is high because it is difficult to breed a large amount of spider and collect a large amount of yarn from the spider. Currently, attempts are being made to solve this problem by causing silk moths and Escherichia coli to produce spider silk using gene recombination technology (Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2). However, since the silk moths and Escherichia coli used for the production of spider silk are genetically modified organisms, they can be bred and cultured only in a facility equipped with predetermined equipment, and there is a problem that the burden of maintenance is heavy. In addition, since the spider silk protein expressed in Escherichia coli is liquid, it needs to be converted into fibers, which causes a problem that the number of steps increases accordingly. Furthermore, the spider silk spit out by the recombinant silk moth is only a few percent mixed with the silk moth silk thread at this stage, and it cannot be obtained as a 100% spider silk that can fully utilize the characteristics of the spider silk. There's a problem.

By the way, there is an insect called bagworm (Basket worm, alias "bag worm"). Bagworm is a general term for larvae of moths belonging to the Lepidoptera family Psychidae, usually in a spindle-shaped or cylindrical nest (Fig. 1A) in which leaf pieces and branch pieces are entwined with threads. It is known to live with the nest during the entire larval stage, such as lurking and moving along with the nest when feeding. In winter, the sight of bagworm nests hanging from the branches of deciduous trees has become a winter tradition, and is an insect that has been familiar to people for a long time.

This bagworm-derived thread (often referred to herein as "bagworm silk thread") has mechanically superior properties to silk moth silk thread and spider silk thread. For example, the bagworm silk thread of Eumeta minuscula boasts extremely strong strength 3.5 times that of silk moth silk thread and 2.5 times that of spider silk thread of Nephila clavata in terms of elasticity (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 3). .. In addition, since the cross-sectional area of the single fiber of the bagworm silk thread is only about 1/7 of that of the single fiber of the silk moth silk thread, it is possible to produce a thin and light cloth having a fine grain and a smooth touch. .. Moreover, the bagworm silk thread has a luster and luster equal to or higher than that of the silk moth silk thread.

In terms of breeding, bagworms are also superior to silk moths. For example, silk moth is, in principle, only the fresh leaves of morus alba (a species belonging to the genus Morus, including, for example, M. bombycis, M. alba, and M. Ihou). Since it is used as a diet, the breeding area and breeding time depend on the morus alba supply area and the morus alba opening period. On the other hand, bagworms are broad-eating and have low specificity for prey leaves, and many species can feed on the leaves of various tree species. Therefore, the bait leaves are easily available and can be bred in any area. In addition, depending on the type, the leaves of evergreen trees can also be used as bait leaves, so it is possible to supply bait leaves throughout the year, unlike the deciduous tree morus alba. Moreover, since bagworms are smaller in size than silk moths, the breeding space is equal to or less than that of silk moths, and mass breeding is easy. Therefore, the breeding cost can be significantly reduced as compared with the silk moth.

In addition, bagworms are superior to silk moths in terms of productivity. For example, silk moths spit out a large amount only at the time of cocooning, and cocooning is performed at the same time for all larvae. Therefore, there is a problem that the thread collection time overlaps and the working period is concentrated. On the other hand, bagworms repeatedly spit during nesting and migration throughout the larval stage. Therefore, there is an advantage that the working period can be dispersed by artificially adjusting the thread collection time. In addition, bagworm silk thread can be collected directly from wild-type bagworm, and does not require the production or maintenance of genetically modified organisms as in the production of spider silk.

As described above, bagworm silk thread has characteristics superior to those of conventional animal fibers and has many advantages in terms of production, so that it can be an extremely promising new natural material.

However, in order to put the bagworm silk thread to practical use, some major problems must be solved. One of them is a problem derived from the characteristics of the nest that is the source of bagworm silk thread. Leaf pieces and branch pieces are always attached to the surface of the bagworm nest, and it is necessary to completely remove these impurities in order to commercialize the bagworm silk thread. However, the removal work requires enormous labor and cost, resulting in high production cost. In addition, it is difficult to completely remove impurities with existing technology, and the final product contains a small amount of leaflets, etc., and the silk thread is dyed light brown with the pigment derived from the impurities, resulting in low quality. It will be something like that.

Therefore, in order to put the bagworm silk thread into practical use as a new biological material, it was necessary to develop a simple and easy method for producing pure bagworm silk thread containing no impurities.

WO2012 / 165477

Shigeyoshi Osaki, 2002, Journal of the Textile Society (Textile and Industry), 58: 74-78 Kuwana Y, et al., 2014, PLoS One, DOI: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0105325 Gosline J.M. et al., 1999, 202, 3295-3303

The present invention develops and provides a thread collection method capable of collecting pure bagworm silk thread from bagworms easily, easily, and in a small number of steps, and a thread collection device for executing the thread collection method. be.

In order to solve the above problems, the present inventor, in the process of repeating various studies, when a bagworm is put into a tube having a predetermined inner diameter, the bagworm spits even in the tube, and the spit silk thread is a thread. We have found the fact that it becomes a ball-shaped (often referred to as "silk thread mass" in this specification). Normally, bagworms move in a zigzag manner (arrowhead) and claws on the thread (arrow) as shown in FIG. 1C to prevent the bagworm from falling from a branch or the like. The bagworm continues to spit out the thread that serves as a leg hook even in the tube, but the thread cannot be attached to the wall surface in the tube having a predetermined diameter, and as a result, it may become a silk thread mass. This silk thread mass is composed only of pure bagworm silk thread containing no impurities such as leaf pieces and branch pieces, and a considerable amount can be obtained. Further, since the silk thread mass does not adhere to the inner wall of the pipe, it does not require a peeling step or the like and can be easily recovered by simply inverting the pipe. The present invention is based on the above new findings and provides the following.

(1) A device for collecting silk thread from bagworms, which is provided with a container for accommodating bagworms and an inlet / outlet hole for loading / unloading bagworms into the container, and the container has the maximum short axis cross section in the internal space thereof. The device whose width is configured to be within the range of 1.2 times or more and less than 3.1 times the maximum body width of the bagworm to be accommodated.
(2) The container has a discharge hole at the bottom, and the minimum width is longer than the maximum width of the bagworm feces and the maximum width is shorter than the maximum width of the bagworm head. The device according to (1), which is configured as described above.
(3) The device according to (1) or (2), wherein the container is configured such that the long axis of the internal space has a gradient of 60 to 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane.
(4) The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the shape in the internal space of the container is tubular, spherical, elliptical spherical, or a combination thereof.
(5) The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the shape of the short axis cross section in the internal space of the container is circular, elliptical, polygonal, or a combination thereof.
(6) The device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the inner wall of the container is a smooth surface.
(7) The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the material constituting the inside of the container is an artificial material.
(8) The apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the container includes an encapsulation portion capable of encapsulating bagworms.
(9) A method of collecting silk thread from bagworms, which is a storage step of storing live bagworms that do not hold a nest in the container of the apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8), and bagworms in the container. The method including a spitting step of spitting silk thread and a collecting step of recovering silk thread from a container.
(10) The present invention relates to (8), further including an encapsulation step of encapsulating bagworms in a container after the accommodating step and before the spitting step, and a releasing step of releasing the encapsulation after the spitting step and before the recovery step. The method described in 9).
(11) The method according to (9) or (10), wherein the bagworm is the last instar.
(12) A method for producing a silk thread mass of bagworm, a storage step of storing a live bagworm that does not hold a nest in a container of the apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8), a bagworm in the container. The production method including a silk thread spitting step of producing a silk thread mass by spitting silk thread into a bagworm, and a recovery step of recovering the silk thread mass from a container.
(13) The method according to (12), further comprising an encapsulation step of encapsulating the bagworm in the container after the accommodating step and before the spitting step, and a releasing step of releasing the encapsulation after the spitting step and before the recovery step. Production method.
(14) The production method according to (12) or (13), wherein the bagworm is the last instar.

According to the thread collecting device of the present invention, the thread collecting method of the present invention can be realized.

According to the thread collection method of the present invention, pure silk thread derived from bagworm can be easily and easily collected from bagworm in a small number of steps. In particular, in the thread collection method of the present invention, the silk thread spit out in the apparatus can be collected in the state of a silk thread mass.

A: It is an external view of the nest of Eumeta varieties (Eumeta varieum). B: It is a figure which shows the inside of the nest when the nest of Eumeta varieum is cut open in the long axis direction and divided into two. The insect in the center is the larva of Eumeta varieties, that is, the bagworm moth. C: It is a figure which shows the spiting behavior at the time of movement of Eumeta varieum. You can see how the bagworm moves while spitting silk thread (arrowhead) and how the claws are hooked on the spit silk thread (arrow). It is a conceptual diagram which shows the shape example of the container internal space in the thread-collecting apparatus of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the maximum short-axis cross section (302) of the internal space of a container in the thread-collecting apparatus of this invention, and the width (305-307) thereof. It is a figure which shows the situation and the result of collecting the bagworm silk thread using the thread collection device of this invention. A is an example when the bagworm is housed in the thread collecting device of the present invention. B indicates an evergreen bagworm that forms a silk thread mass while spitting in a container. C indicates a silk thread mass and a bagworm collected from the container. In the figure, the arrows indicate silk thread lumps. This is a result showing the effect of the discharge hole in the container of the yarn collecting device of the present invention. A and B are the results when verified with a container having a cloaca, and C and D are the results when verified with a container without a cloaca for control. A and C indicate the state of the silk lump in the container, and B and D indicate the silk lump recovered from the container. It is a figure which shows the width of the maximum short axis cross section in the container internal space of the thread-collecting apparatus of this invention, and the formation result of the silk thread mass. A is the result when a container with a maximum short-axis cross-section width of 9 mm is used for a bagworm with a maximum body width of 7 mm, and B is the maximum of the internal space for a bagworm with a maximum body width of 7 mm. This is the result when a container with a short axis cross section width of 120 mm is used. The arrow indicated by A indicates a silk thread mass formed in the container. It is a figure which shows the gradient experiment of the container in the thread-collecting apparatus of this invention. In the figure, each numerical value indicates the slope angle of the container.

1. 1. Thread collecting device 1-1. Outline The first aspect of the present invention is a device (thread collecting device) for collecting silk thread from bagworms. The thread collecting device of the present invention can easily and easily collect pure bagworm silk thread without impurities from the bagworm.

1-2. Definitions The following terms frequently used herein are defined as follows.
"Bagworm" is a general term for moth larvae belonging to the Lepidoptera and Psychidae families as described above. Moths of the bagworm family are distributed all over the world, but all larvae (bagworms) spell natural materials such as leaf pieces and branch pieces with silk threads spit out by themselves throughout the entire larval stage, and live in the nest that wears them. doing. The nest is bag-shaped and can wrap the whole body, and is in the form of a spindle, a cylinder, a cone, or the like. Bagworms usually hide in this nest, always behave with the nest when feeding or moving, and pupation is also performed in the nest in principle.

The bagworm used in the present specification is a moth larva belonging to the family Bagworm family, and may be of any kind, age and sex as long as it is a species that produces the nest. For example, the bagworm family includes Acanthopsyche, Anatolopsyche, Bacotia, Bambalina, Canephora, Chalioides, Dahlica, Diplodoma, Eumeta, Eumasia, Kozhantshikovia, Mahasena, Nipponopsyche, Paranarychia, Proutia, Psyche, Pteroma, Siederia, Triglo. However, the bagworm used in the present specification may be a species belonging to any genus. Specific examples of the types of bagworms include Eumeta japonica, Eumeta minuscula, and Nipponopsyche fuscescens. The age of the larva may be any age from the first instar to the last instar. However, for the purpose of obtaining thicker and longer bagworm silk thread, a large bagworm is preferable. For example, if it is the same species, the last-instar larva is preferable, and if it is male and female, a large female is preferable. Also, within the bagworm family, larger species are preferable. Therefore, Eumeta varieum and Eumeta varieum are suitable species for the bagworm used in the present invention.

As used herein, the term "silk thread" refers to a thread derived from an insect, which is a protein thread spit out by insect larvae and adults for the purpose of nesting, moving, fixing, cocooning, feeding and the like. The term "silk thread" as used herein means bagworm silk thread unless otherwise specified.

As used herein, the term "bagworm silk thread" refers to silk thread derived from bagworm.

1-3. Configuration The thread collection device of the present invention includes a container and an entry / exit hole. Further, a fixing portion or an encapsulating portion may be provided as needed.

As used herein, the "container" is a container for accommodating bagworms and includes an internal space. The number of containers may be one per yarn collecting device, but a plurality of containers may be provided.

As used herein, "containing" means putting the entire bagworm, which is an object, into the internal space of the container.

The "internal space (of the container)" means the space provided inside the container for accommodating the bagworm. The stored bagworms perform a thread-spitting action in this internal space. The shape of the internal space is not particularly limited as long as it does not satisfy the conditions described later and is not subjected to an excessive load such as significantly restricting the movement of bagworms. For example, tubular, spherical, elliptical spherical, or a combination thereof and the like can be mentioned. Tubular or elliptical spheres are preferred. In the case of a tubular shape, the short-axis cross-section (201) is almost the same as a whole as shown in FIG. 2A, and the short-axis cross-section (201) as shown in FIG. 2B gradually becomes smaller toward the end. It may be a cone shape or a combination thereof as shown in FIG. 2C. In the case of a tubular shape, the shape of the short axis cross section may be a circle, an ellipse, a polygon (including a quadrangle, a hexagon, etc.), or a combination thereof. Further, the overall shape of the tubular tube is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a linear shape such as a test tube, a curved shape such as an arc, or a combination of a straight line and a curved line such as a J-shape or a U-shape shown in FIG. 2D.

The internal space of the container is configured so that the width of the maximum short axis cross section is within a predetermined range.

As used herein, the term "short axis cross section" refers to a cross section including a short axis orthogonal to the long axis of the internal space. The "maximum short-axis cross section" means the cross section having the largest area among the short-axis cross sections of the internal space. For example, when the internal space is an elliptical sphere (300) such as the rotary ellipse shown in FIG. 3A, the short axis cross section (302) orthogonal to the center of the long axis (301) corresponds to the maximum short axis cross section. When the internal space is spherical (303) shown in FIG. 3B, the short axis cross section (302) orthogonal to the center of the long axis (301), that is, the surface including the diameter corresponds to the maximum short axis cross section. Further, if the internal space has the parallel prismatic shape (304) shown in FIG. 3C, any short axis cross section (302) orthogonal to the long axis (301) is the maximum short axis cross section.

As used herein, the "width of the maximum short axis cross section" means all the widths of the surfaces constituting the maximum short axis cross section. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the diameter (305) is used when the shape of the maximum short axis cross section is a circle, and the side (306) is used when the shape of the maximum short axis cross section is square as shown in FIG. 3C. ) And the width corresponding to the diagonal line (307) correspond to the width.

The "within a predetermined range" of the width of the maximum short-axis cross section is 1.2 times or more and less than 3.1 times, preferably 1.3 times or more and 2.5 times or less (1.3 times to 2.5 times) the maximum body width of the bagworm to be accommodated. The range. The "bagworm body width" is the width of the bagworm in the cross section including the short axis orthogonal to the long axis of the head end to the tail end, and the "maximum body width of the bagworm" is the width of the body width of the bagworm. The largest one. As a general rule, the maximum width of individual bagworms before storage in the container, preferably immediately before storage. This range varies depending on the type, age (growth stage), sex, and individual difference of the bagworm, and may be appropriately determined according to the bagworm to be used. In general, if the type and age of the bagworm used in the thread collecting device of the present invention are clear, the numerical value can be specified to some extent. For example, in the case of the last-instar bagworm, the maximum body width is in the range of 9.0 mm ± 2.0 mm (7.0 mm to 11.0 mm) on average, preferably in the range of 9.0 mm ± 1.5 mm (7.5 mm to 10.5 mm) on average. .. In the case of the last-instar bagworm of Eumeta, the maximum body width is in the range of 7.0 mm ± 2.0 mm (5.0 mm to 9.0 mm) on average, preferably in the range of 7.0 mm ± 1.5 mm (5.5 mm to 8.5 mm) on average. .. Therefore, when the last-instar worm of Ominoga is used in the thread collection device of the present invention, the width of the maximum short axis cross section of the internal space in the container is 8.4 mm or more and less than 34.1 mm (≈7.0 mm × 1.2 times or more 11.0 mm ×). 9.1 mm to 27.5 mm (≈ 7.0 mm × 1.3 times to 11.0 mm × 2.5 times), preferably 9.0 mm or more and less than 32.6 mm (≈ 7.5 mm × 1.2 times or more and less than 10.5 mm × 3.1 times), Alternatively, it may be within the range of 9.8 mm to 26.3 mm (≈7.5 mm × 1.3 times to 10.5 mm × 2.5 times). For example, when the shape of the maximum short axis cross section is the above-mentioned square, the minimum side length may be 9.0 mm or more, and the maximum diagonal length may be 27.5 mm or less.

On the other hand, the length of the long axis of the internal space is not particularly limited as long as it is longer than the total length of the bagworm to be accommodated. The lower limit is 1.5 times or more, 2.0 times or more, 2.5 times or more, 3.0 times or more, 3.5 times or more, 4.0 times or more the total length of the bagworm so that the bagworm can move with a certain degree of freedom in the internal space. , 4.5 times or more, or 5.0 times or more. The upper limit is not limited, but usually 20 times or less, 15 times or less, 14 times or less, 13 times or less, 12 times or less, 11 times or less, 10 times or less, 9 times or less, 8 times or less, 7 times or less, or 6 Double or less is enough.

The material constituting the inside of the container is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that cannot be easily destroyed or perforated by bagworms. It may be either a natural material, an artificial material, or a combination thereof. Natural materials include metals (including alloys), minerals (including stones and sand), animal-derived materials (including bones, teeth, fangs, horns, shells, scales, and horns), and plant-derived materials (wood, Bamboo, husks, including paper) and the like. Examples of the artificial material include synthetic resin (including plastic), ceramics (including enamel), glass, carbon fiber and the like. Artificial materials are suitable from the viewpoint of material cost and manufacturing cost.

The inner wall of the container, that is, the wall surface inside the container is preferably a smooth surface. This is because if the wall surface has many irregularities, the bagworm stored in the container may escape from the uneven portion as a foothold, or the spit silk thread may adhere to the wall surface to obtain the desired silk thread mass. The smooth surface may be based on the material itself inside the container, or may be generated by applying a paint to the surface of the material inside the container. For example, in the case of metal, glass, plastic, etc., the material itself is finished on a smooth surface by processing. Further, even if the material has a difficult smooth surface finish such as a wood material or a fiber, the smooth surface property can be imparted by covering the surface with a paint such as varnish.

Examples of the container include a test tube, a conical tube, and the like.

In the present specification, the "entrance / exit hole" is a hole for inserting / removing bagworms into / from the inside of the container. There may be one entry / exit hole per container, but there may be multiple entry / exit holes. For example, there is a case where the container is U-shaped and has entrance / exit holes at both ends thereof. When a plurality of entry / exit holes are provided, the bagworm input hole and the bagworm take-out hole may be common or separate. The width of the entry / exit hole must be larger than the maximum body width of the bagworm to be accommodated in the container. Normally, it is in the range of 1.2 times or more and less than 3.1 times the maximum body width of bagworms. The shape of the inlet / outlet hole may be any shape that conforms to the shape of the container, and is not particularly limited. A circular or near-circular (substantially circular) elliptical shape is preferred.

The container can be provided with a discharge hole. The "discharge hole" in the container is a hole for discharging the feces excreted by the bagworm stored in the container to the outside of the container. The purpose of the discharge hole is, in principle, to discharge the feces out of the container, but since the same effect can be obtained if the larva cannot come into contact with the feces again, the feces are not necessarily discharged from the container. May be good. In general, when an active bagworm that is feeding is used in the thread-collecting device of the present invention, it often defecates in a container. If this feces remains inside the container, the bagworm begins to entangle the feces with the thread as a nest material, so that the collected silk thread mass is covered with the feces and a pure silk thread mass cannot be obtained. Therefore, when using active bagworms, it is preferable that the container has a discharge hole.

The discharge hole is arranged at the bottom of the container so that the feces excreted in the container can be naturally discharged by gravity. The "bottom" is the lowest position inside the container. At this time, it is preferable that the inside of the container is configured so as to converge toward the discharge hole, specifically, the water put in the container is completely naturally drained from the discharge hole. The shape of the hole is not particularly limited. It may be circular, oval, polygonal (including quadrilateral, hexagon, etc.), or a combination thereof, but the purpose of the discharge hole is to discharge feces, or the feces have a shape close to a sphere. In view of the ease of drilling, a circular or near-circular (substantially circular) elliptical shape is preferable. Regarding the size of the discharge hole, the minimum width of the hole may be longer than the maximum width of the feces excreted by the bagworm contained in the container. On the other hand, the maximum width of the hole should be shorter than the maximum width of the bagworm head housed in the container to prevent the bagworm from escaping. The width of the cloaca varies depending on the type, age (growth stage), sex, and individual difference of the bagworm. Therefore, the width of the discharge hole may be appropriately determined according to the bagworm to be used. In general, if the type and age of the bagworm used in the thread collecting device of the present invention are clear, those values can be specified to some extent. For example, in the case of the last-instar bagworm, the maximum width of feces is in the range of 3.0 mm ± 0.5 mm (2.5 mm to 3.5 mm) on average, and the maximum width of the head is in the range of 5.5 mm ± 1.0 mm (4.5 mm) on average. ~ 6.5mm). In the case of the last-instar bagworm of Eumeta, the maximum width of feces is in the range of 2.5 mm ± 0.5 mm (2.0 mm to 3.0 mm) on average, and the maximum width of the head is in the range of 4.5 mm ± 1.0 mm on average (3.5). mm to 5.5 mm). Usually 1.2 times or more, 1.3 times or more, or 1.4 times or more, preferably 1.5 times or more, 1.6 times or more, 1.7 times or more, 1.8 times or more, 1.9 times or more, or 2.0 times or more, and the head of the maximum width of feces. The maximum width of the part is 0.9 times or less, 0.8 times or less, preferably 0.7 times or less, 0.6 times or less.

The external shape of the container is not particularly limited. The external shape may be completely different from the internal space, or may have a shape similar to the internal space. An example in which the external shape is completely different from the internal space is a case where the external shape is a quadrangular prism and the internal space is contained therein. Normally, the shape may be as long as it conforms to the internal space.

In the thread collecting device, the angle of the container is not particularly limited. For example, the long axis of the internal space of the container may be horizontal or perpendicular to the horizontal plane (90 degrees). However, considering the installation space of the bagworm, the ease of management of bagworms, the ease of discharging feces, or the escape of bagworms from the container, the angle of the container in the thread collector is such that the long axis of the internal space is a horizontal plane. It is preferably configured to have a gradient of 60 to 90 degrees, 70 to 90 degrees, 80 to 90 degrees, or 85 to 90 degrees with respect to the relative. 90 degrees is the most suitable.

The container may be configured so that the bagworm can be enclosed in the internal space, if necessary, so that the contained bagworm does not escape from the entrance / exit hole and escape. As used herein, "encapsulation" means encapsulation in the internal space of a container. However, the internal space is in a ventilated state to the last, and it cannot be sealed and contained. In order to enable encapsulation, the encapsulation portion may be installed in a hole having a width equal to or larger than the maximum width of the bagworm head among the holes provided in the container. In the container, the hole that is always larger than the maximum width of the bagworm's head is an entry / exit hole in principle, so that it can be enclosed by installing an encapsulation part in the entry / exit hole.

As used herein, the term "enclosed portion" refers to a portion in which the width of a hole having a width equal to or greater than the maximum width of the bagworm head is made shorter than the maximum width of the head of the bagworm, or the hole is closed. Specifically, for example, a lid may be mentioned. The shape of the lid is not particularly limited as long as the conditions of the encapsulation portion are satisfied. Various shapes of closures such as screw caps, rubber stoppers, etc. can be used. The lid may have holes. In addition, the width of the entrance / exit hole may be a variable type that can be arbitrarily made shorter than the maximum width of the bagworm's head.

In the present specification, the "fixing portion" is a portion for fixing the container of the yarn collecting device. Since the container itself can stand on its own and a fixed portion is not required if the required gradient and the like can be maintained, it is a selective component in the yarn collecting device. The shape and size of the fixed portion are not particularly limited. Further, the fixing portion may be configured so that a plurality of containers can be fixed. As a specific example of the fixed portion, when the container is a test tube, a test tube rack or the like can be mentioned.

2. 2. Thread collection method 2-1. Outline The second aspect of the present invention is a thread collection method. The thread collecting method of the present invention is a method of obtaining pure bagworm silk thread from bagworm using the thread collecting device of the first aspect. According to the silk thread method of the present invention, bagworm silk thread can be easily and easily collected in the form of a pure silk thread mass.

2-2. Method The thread collection method of the present invention includes a storage step, a thread ejection step, and a recovery step as essential steps, and an encapsulation step and a release step as selection steps. Hereinafter, each step will be described.

(1) Containment Step The “containment step” is a step of accommodating the bagworm in the container of the yarn collecting device of the first aspect.
The bagworm used in this process is a living individual that does not retain its nest. Bagworms usually act with their nests and can be removed from their nests for use. The bagworm used in the present invention may be an active individual feeding or a dormant individual. However, dormant individuals should be placed under active conditions.

As used herein, the term "activity condition" refers to a condition under which a bagworm can perform activities involving daily movements such as movement and feeding. Conditions include temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, light and darkness, oxygen content, etc., but the most important condition in the present invention is air temperature. Since insects are poikilotherms, they cease to be active as the temperature drops and enter a dormant state. Therefore, the lower limit of the preferable temperature among the activity conditions in the present invention is the temperature at which the bagworm does not enter dormancy. The specific temperature varies depending on the type, but it may be about 10 ° C. or higher, preferably 12 ° C. or higher, more preferably 13 ° C. or higher, still more preferably 14 ° C. or higher, still more preferably 15 ° C. or higher. On the other hand, the upper limit of temperature is the upper limit of the temperature at which bagworms can survive. Generally, it may be 40 ° C. or lower, preferably 35 ° C. or lower, more preferably 30 ° C. or lower, still more preferably 27 ° C. or lower, still more preferably 25 ° C. or lower. The atmospheric pressure, humidity, light and darkness, oxygen concentration, etc. may be, for example, the same as the conditions on a flat land in a temperate region. For example, the atmospheric pressure is around 1 atm, the humidity is 30 to 70%, the light and dark conditions are 6 to 18 hours out of 24 hours, and the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere is in the range of 15 to 25%.

Further, the bagworm used in the present invention may be an individual collected in the field or an individual under artificial breeding, but it is preferable that the individual is not starved, and a sufficient amount of food is fed before use. Is more preferred. Unless the spitting individual is starved, well-fed bagworms will travel on the linear path for 1 to 4 days, 3 hours to 3 days, or 6 hours to 2 days under active conditions. Continue to spit continuously while moving.

Containment is performed through the entry / exit holes provided in the container of the thread collection device. Since the bagworms removed from the nest will be exposed to a stress environment, it is preferable to carry out the containment immediately after removing the bagworms from the nest. At that time, do not give a load to the bagworm or try to minimize it. The load referred to here is an excessive load other than stress, for example, a contact load for picking or rolling bagworms, or a temperature load exposed to low temperature or high temperature.

As a general rule, one bagworm should be contained in one container.

(2) Encapsulation step The "encapsulation step" is a step of encapsulating bagworms in a container. This step is performed after the storage step and before the yarn ejection step described later. This step is a selection step and can be performed when the yarn collecting device of the first aspect includes an encapsulation portion. The purpose of this step is to prevent the bagworms housed in the container from escaping from the container in the storage step.

This step is a premise of the release step described later, and is usually executed as a set together with the release step. However, the encapsulation step may be performed alone.

Encapsulation is achieved by closing the entry / exit hole with the encapsulation portion. The encapsulation method may be performed according to the configuration of the provided encapsulation portion. For example, when the sealing portion is a screw cap, the mouth of the container corresponding to the entry / exit hole may be screwed into the screw cap to cover the container.

(3) Thread spouting process The “thread spitting process” is a step of causing bagworms to spit silk thread in a container. This step is the most important step in producing bagworm silk thread in the present invention. However, it is only necessary to install the thread collecting device under active conditions, and no other special work is required. If the bagworm is housed in the container, the bagworm will continue to spit in the container, and the spit silk thread will naturally form a silk thread mass. The time of this step, that is, the time for causing the bagworm to spit is not particularly limited. This may be done until a silk mass is formed in the container. 6 hours or more, 12 hours or more, 18 hours or more, 24 hours or more, 48 hours or more, or 72 hours or more may be performed. The upper limit may be until the bagworm stops spitting, but usually 168 hours or less, 150 hours or less, 144 hours or less, 120 hours or less, 100 hours or less, or 96 hours or less is sufficient.

(4) Release step The "release step" is a step of releasing the encapsulation. This step is performed after the yarn ejection step and before the recovery step described later. This step is a selection step on the premise that the encapsulation step has been executed, and can be executed when the yarn collecting device of the first aspect includes the encapsulation portion. The purpose of this step is to facilitate recovery from the container of silk thread lumps generated in the container due to the bagworm spouting in the thread spitting step.

"Release" means to release the encapsulation. That is, in this method, it means to release the entrance / exit hole from the enclosed portion. For example, if the encapsulation is a screw cap, the cap may be removed from the container.

Since the entry / exit holes are opened by this step, the silk thread lumps generated in the container can be easily recovered by the recovery step described later.

(5) Recovery step The “recovery step” is a step of recovering from the container. As a general rule, silk thread is collected from the entrance / exit holes. However, it may be collected from the discharge hole or the hole provided in the sealing portion by using tweezers or the like. Since the silk thread produced in the container is in the shape of a silk thread mass and is usually smaller than the width of the entry / exit hole, when collecting from the entry / exit hole, it is easy to collect by simply turning the entry / exit hole downward. Can be done. At this time, if necessary, tweezers, a scraping stick, or the like may be used. The bagworms housed in the container in the storage step may be collected together with the silk thread in this step. It is reusable. Therefore, if necessary, it can be continuously stored in the container and spit again. However, since the bagworm used once in this method is exhausted by continuing to spit in a fasted state, it is preferable to use it after collecting it once and feeding it with bait leaves.

3. 3. Silk thread ingot manufacturing method 3-1. Outline A third aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a silk ingot. According to the production method of the present invention, a silk thread mass composed of bagworm silk thread can be produced by using the thread collection device of the first aspect. According to the production method of the present invention, a silk thread mass composed of pure bagworm silk thread can be easily and easily produced.

3-2. Method The manufacturing method of the present invention includes the accommodating step, the spitting step, and the collecting step as essential steps, and the encapsulation step and the releasing step as selection steps. The details of these steps are the same as those of each step in the yarn collection method described in the second aspect. Therefore, the specific description of each step will be omitted.

<Example 1: Production of silk thread ingot by a thread collecting device (1)>
(Purpose)
Using the thread collecting device of the present invention, it is verified that a silk thread mass composed of pure bagworm silk thread, which does not contain impurities, can be easily and easily collected.

(Method)
For bagworms, the last-instar larvae of Ominoga collected in the field in November were used. The maximum body width of each individual ranged from 9.0 mm to 10.0 mm and the total length ranged from 30.0 mm to 32.0 mm.

A 10 mL polypropylene conical tube (IWAKI) was used as the container of the thread collection device. The width (inner diameter) of the maximum short axis cross section in the internal space of this container is 14.5 mm and the length is 97.0 mm. In this case, the tube opening corresponds to the container entry / exit hole. In addition, a test tube rack was used as the fixing part.

Immediately after removing the bagworm from the nest using scissors, it was housed in the container of the thread collecting device (FIG. 4A). Subsequently, in order to prevent bagworms from escaping, a lid made by rolling Saran Wrap (registered trademark) (Asahi KASEI) was used as an encapsulation and packed into the tube opening. It was left as it was at 25 ° C.

(result)
As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the bagworm formed a silk mass (arrow) in all the tubes after 12 hours. FIG. 4C shows a silk mass (arrow) and a bagworm (arrowhead) taken out of the tube 120 hours after containment. It was possible to obtain a silk thread mass consisting of pure bagworm silk thread, which is pure white and contains no impurities.

<Example 2: Production of silk thread mass by a thread collecting device (2)>
(Purpose)
It is verified that the silk thread mass containing no impurities can be collected from the bagworm in the active period by using the thread collecting device of the present invention provided with the discharge hole.

(Method and result)
For bagworms, 10 sub-late to last-instar larvae of Eumeta minus collected in the field in June were used. The maximum body width of each individual ranged from 6.0 mm to 8.0 mm and the total length ranged from 24.0 mm to 30.0 mm.

A polypropylene 10 mL pipetter tip (Eppendorf) was used as the container of the thread collection device for verification. The width (diameter) of the maximum short axis cross section in the internal space of this container is 13.5 mm. In the case of a pipetter tip, the pipetter connection port corresponds to a container entry / exit hole. On the other hand, the bottom of the tube (tip of the tip) was cut to make a discharge hole with a diameter of 3.5 mm. A 10 mL glass round bottom tube (As one) without a drain hole was used as the container in the control thread collection device. A test tube rack was used as a fixing part.

After removing the bagworms from the nest using scissors, five bagworms were immediately housed in the containers of the verification and control thread-collecting devices. Subsequently, in order to prevent the bagworm from escaping, the opening was covered with a polyethylene film and fastened with a rubber band to prevent slack, and the entrance / exit holes of each container were closed. However, it was not sealed and the air permeability inside the container was ensured. It was left as it was at 25 ° C for 72 hours. Bagworms excreted feces in all containers, but in a container equipped with a discharge hole for a verification thread collection device (Fig. 5A), feces are naturally discharged out of the container, so this was carried out as shown in FIG. 5B. As in Example 1, it was possible to obtain a silk thread mass made of pure bagworm silk thread, which was pure white and contained no impurities. On the other hand, in the control thread collecting device, the feces are not discharged and remain in the container. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5C, the bagworm often entangles the feces with the spit silk thread. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5D, all of the collected silk lumps were contaminated with feces. Therefore, it was suggested that when the active bagworm is used for the thread collecting device of the present invention, it is preferable to use a container provided with a discharge hole. Further, it has been clarified that by using the silk thread apparatus of the present invention, a silk thread mass made of pure bagworm silk thread can be easily and easily produced and recovered regardless of the type of bagworm.

<Example 3: Relationship between the inner diameter of the container of the thread collecting device and the formation of the silk thread mass>
(Purpose)
We will examine the relationship between the ratio of the width of the maximum short-axis cross section in the container internal space of the thread-collecting device to the maximum body width of the bagworm to be accommodated and the formation of silk thread lumps.

(Method)
For bagworms, the last-instar larvae of Eumeta minus, with a total length of 30 mm and a maximum body width of 7 mm, collected in the field in June were used.

The width (diameter) of the maximum short axis cross section of the container internal space in the thread collection device is 9 mm (polypropylene pipetter tip for 2.5 mL, φ9 mm x height 115 mm: Eppendolf), 12.0 mm (6 mL glass test tube, φ12 mm x). Height 75 mm: As one), 15.0 mm (15 mL glass test tube, φ15 mm x height 85 mm: As one), 22.0 mm (50 mL glass test tube, φ22 mm x height 200 mm: As one), 30.0 mm (50 mL polypropylene conical tube, φ30 mm x height 118 mm: As one), 120 mm (cylindrical plastic container with polyethylene lid), φ120 mm x height 60 mm).

The basic thread collection method was based on Examples 1 and 2.

(result)
When the width of the maximum short axis cross section of the container internal space was 9 mm to 15 mm with respect to the bagworm having a maximum body width of 7 mm, the bagworm formed a silk thread mass in the container (FIG. 6A). However, when the width of the maximum short axis cross section is 22.0 mm or more, which is more than three times the maximum body width, the degree of freedom in the container is high, and the inner wall of the container is also actively spouted. Therefore, as a result, the formation rate of silk lumps was significantly reduced (not shown). Further, when the width of the maximum short axis cross section became 120 mmn, the silk thread mass was not formed at all, and the bagworm silk thread was attached to the inner wall of the container and spit out in a disorderly manner (FIG. 6B). From this result, if the width of the maximum short-axis cross section of the container internal space is excessively larger than the maximum body width of the bagworm, silk thread lumps are not formed, so that the width of the maximum short-axis cross section of the container internal space is the maximum of the bagworm. It was clarified that a range of 1.2 times or more and less than 3.1 times, preferably 1.3 times or more and 2.5 times or less of the body width is appropriate.

<Example 4: Relationship between the gradient of the container and the formation of silk lumps in the thread collecting device>
(Purpose)
We will verify the relationship between the gradient of the container of the thread-collecting device and its internal space and the formation of silk lumps.

(Method)
For bagworms, the last-instar larvae of Eumeta minus, collected in the field in June, were used. Each individual had a maximum body width of about 24 mm and a total length of about 7 mm.

As in Example 1, a polypropylene pipetter tip for 10 mL (Eppendorf) was used as the container of the thread collecting device. At the bottom of each tube, a hole with a diameter of 3.5 mm was made as a discharge hole. Ten tubes, two each, were placed on the test tube rack so that they had five different gradient angles (0 degrees, 25 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees) with respect to the horizontal plane (Fig. 7).

The basic thread collection method was based on Examples 1 and 2. As an encapsulation part, after putting the bagworm into the container, the tube opening which is the entrance / exit hole was covered with a polyethylene film and fastened with a rubber band so as not to be loosened, and this was used as the encapsulation part. After the injection, the observation was performed for 3 days under active conditions.

(result)
As a result, bagworms formed a substantially spherical silk mass in the tube at any gradient angle. From this result, it was clarified that the gradient angle of the container has no particular effect when the silk thread mass of the bagworm is formed by the thread collecting device of the present invention.

Claims (4)

Bagworm spitting silk lumps that do not contain impurities. The bagworm spitting silk mass according to claim 1, wherein the contaminant comprises any one or more selected from the group consisting of leaf pieces, branch pieces, and bagworm feces. The bagworm silk thread mass according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bagworm silk thread mass is white. The bagworm silk thread mass according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bagworm silk thread mass is substantially spherical.

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