Insect cuticles are composite structures whose mechanical properties are optimised for biological function. The major components are the chitin filament system and the cuticular proteins, and the cuticle's properties are determined largely by the interactions between these two sets of molecules. The proteins can be ordered by species.

1: Sequence studies on post-ecdysial cuticular proteins from pupae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor. Baernholdt D, Anderson SO; Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 1998;28:517-526. PMID:9718683