Some researchers are exploring a new idea for a biomimicry adhesive on the basis of the chemistry used by Arachnocampa glow-worms. The fungus gnat larvae in this genus use sticky threads to attach themselves to substrates, capture prey and defend themselves, and as adults, they use the same material for egg anchorage. The sticky threads are covered with adhesive droplets that consist mainly of water and are believed to owe much of their adhesive nature to peptides, but other elements are present as is urea or uric acid. This new “bionic” adhesive could be interesting for the wood industry. Different Arachnocampa species don’t all share the same adhesive chemistry, and researchers say that different species have their own signature formula. The identification of urea as forming part of the formula is the latest breakthrough after researches subjected the natural adhesive to histochemical and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, the study identifies main differences between Arachnocampa adhesives and those made by orb spiders.