Insects are the most extant organisms on the earth, because of their excellent survival ability against various environments. With development of biotechnology, insects are high potentially regarded as so useful bio-resources with other biodiversity. We overview the status of biomaterials from insects with several cases as follows; 1) Mass production of industrial insects … silkworm, honeybee, and some insects as pollinator and natural enemy etc. These insects have been used for mainly agricultural industry. 2) Ornamental insects … butterfly park, insectariums, education, life-cares, eco-tour and for festival etc. 3) Bioactive substances from insects …potential sources of novel pharmaceuticals and functional foods. Many kinds of insects are screening including traditional medicinal insects by pharmaceutical companies. Some antimicrobial peptides are also developing by self defense mechanism of insects. 4) Highly active enzymes from insect microbes …based on the behavior and habitat of insect diversity. Several industrial enzymes were developed by the microbes isolated from insects, such as the protease ‘Arazyme’, xylanase etc. This is one of the hottest emerging fields in bio-industry including food, animal feed, cosmetics, bio-fuel etc. 5) Biomimetics … structure of housing, biosensor for drug and explosive, flying mechanism, spinning of super fiber, bio-adhesives, holography, lac and wax from insects etc. Recently, insect will be utilized for more wide and regardful fields with Convention of Biodiversity(CBD) and Access and Benefit Sharing(ABS) of Genetic Resources(Nagoya Protocol). The promotion law and institution are also activating for insect industry in Korea.

• Ho-Yong Park(Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology(KRIBB))