Bombyx Mori
Commonly referred to as a silkworm, the Bombyx mori
is actually a caterpillar of the silk moth Bombyx mori
in its larvae state. Throughout its lifetime, the silkworm
feeds solely on the leaves of mulberry trees. When they
have stored up enough energy to enter the cocoon stage,
they produce a jelly-like substance in their silk glands
which hardens when it comes into contact with air. Silkworms
can spend three to four days spinning the cocoon around
them until they resemble puffy, white balls. After another
eight to nine days the cocoon is ready to be unwound.
Sericulture
The cultivation of silkworms for the purpose of
producing silk is called sericulture. The entire
process involves: |
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• Raising healthy silkworm eggs
through to the chrysalis stage when the worm becomes
encased in its silk cocoon
• Steaming or baking the cocoons to kill the worms,
or pupas, before the worm begins to break out
of the cocoon so as to ensure that the precious
silk filament remains intact
• Dipping the cocoons into hot water to loosen
the tightly woven filaments, each producing a
filament between 600 and 900 meters long
• Selecting the healthiest moths for breeding
and overseeing them mature, mate and produce more
eggs |
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