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Researchers can now apply this manufacturing technique to other large proteins, making it feasible to explore additional candidate biomaterials—such as resilin, an elastic polymer that powers a flea’s jump, or the tough mother-of-pearl that lines abalone shells—for practical use.

The bee can do this because of an elastic material in its wings called resilin, which allows it to crumple its wings like folding origami and bounce back.

One secret to their trick of avoiding breakage appears to be that rubbery protein called resilin, which insects have in their wing hinges and tracheal tubes.

Resilin is also found in the cuticular springs, where it is configured in thin layers beneath the chitin.

In fact, the layering of chitin and resilin resembles the design of archers’ composite bows from hundreds of years ago, such as those made of horn and wood, or leather and wood.