Silkworm paragraph to flowchart
Answers
The silkworm is the larva stage of the silk moth's life cycle. Moths lay eggs which develop into the silkworm larvae, grub or caterpillar (commonly called silkworms). They eat for 20-30 days, consuming large amounts of mulberry leaves, and molt through four changes of skin or 'instars'. Silkworms (at all four instars) are a very nutritious live feeder for reptile pet lizards and semi-aquatic pets too.
The silkworm larvae (caterpillar) spins a cocoon for protection, to permit the development of the pupa or chrysalis. which takes about three days to be fully completed, and is a similar size to a peanut shell.
The chrysalis emerges from the cocoon as a moth. In cultivated, commercially viable, silk the grub is terminated while still inside the cocoon so that the long filaments are maintained and preserved for the production of silk.
The colour of the silk filament can be determined by the diet of the larvae and seasonal influences. Mulberry leaves produce the preferred lighter coloured cocoons, but in the wild silk worms will eat other plants as well producing a variety of colours, as shown here at right >>>
The moths mate and the females lay 300, to more than 350 eggs, then die.
In the wild this cycle occurs once a year, but under controlled scientific breeding it can occur up to three times in one year.
