Draw a labelled diagram to show the life cycle of silk moth.
Answers
The Life cycle of silk moth:
The life cycle of a silk moth starts, when a female silk moth lays eggs. The caterpillar or larvae are hatched from the eggs of the silk moth. The silkworms feed on mulberry leaves and give rise to pupa. In the pupa stage, a weave is netted around by the silkworm to hold itself. After that it swings its head, spinning a fibre made of a protein and becomes a silk fibre. Several caterpillars form a protective layer around the pupa and this covering is known as the cocoon. The silk thread (yarn) is obtained from the silk moth’s cocoon.
Explanation:
Different stages are as follows :
1. Egg
The female silkworm produces or lays eggs. This is the beginning of the life cycle of the silkworm. The eggs hatch in the presence of warm temperatures. It happens once a year.
2. Silkworm larva
It arises from the hatched eggs. The silkworm larvae are hairy and last for around 24 to 33 days. Silkworm larvae depend on mulberry leaves for food.
3. Cocoon
This starts after 30 days. During this stage, the silkworm tends to turn translucent and yellowish in colour. This is the stage where the silkworm develops a protective covering around itself. This protective covering or layer is called the cocoon.
4. Pupa
It is the stage where the silkworm shows no movement or motion. It is the pupa stage where people loosen up the silk thread by killing the pupa by diving the cocoon into the bubbling water.
5. Silkmoth
The development of the silkmoth from the cocoon stage takes around 10 to 14 days. The transformation of the pupa into a silkmoth completes its life cycle.
Once the silk moth develops fully, it begins its search for a mating partner. Once the mating completes, the female silk moth produces 350 eggs on the surface of mulberry leaves. These eggs begin their life cycle individually.
