2. • Silk is a natural protein fiber.
• The best known type of silk is
obtained from cocoons of the
• Larvae of a mulberry silkworm reared
in captivity .
3.
4. Silk fibers are spun by the silk worms . The rearing of silk
worms for obtaining silk is called Sericulture. Silk worms
are fed on mulberry leaves.
5.
6. The silk worm larval life is divided into
five instars, separated by four molts.
Four distinct stages of development
complete one generation of the species;
ova, larvae, pupa and imago.
7. Newly laid eggs are a creamy yellow, after a
few days the fertile live eggs will be gray.
Keep the eggs cool.
Eggs must be placed in the fridge as soon
as it starts to warm up for spring.
Do not freeze the eggs, keep them in the
warmest part of the fridge.
The silkworm eggs will hatch 2 weeks after
you remove them from the fridge .
8. After four days the first molt will occur.
After hatching the tiny larvae grow the best if they are
fed on the new soft leaves of the mulberry tree.
Switch over to larger leaves as they grow.
The silkworms(larvae) do nothing but eat.
Keep them in a flat open box. They will not crawl
away.
Simply place leaves in the container and place the
silkworms on the leaves. Keep them at room
temperature, but not in direct sunlight.
9. If you have got many silkworms then it is best to make
wooden frames with a fine mesh grid at the bottom so
that the worm droppings and fine pieces of leaves can
fall through.
Stand the frame in a tray to catch the
debris. Everything must be kept clean.
Transfer the tiny silkworms using a small paint brush
the first few days, older larvae can be gently picked up
with your hands onto a clean tray.
Give fresh leaves and remove half eaten leaves from
the day before, every day.
10. The silkworm will spin a silk cocoon as
protection for the pupa. Cocoons are
shades of white, cream and yellow. The
glistening shine of the silk gives an
impression of silver and shades of gold.
After a final molt inside the cocoon, the
larva change into the brown pupa. Further
changes inside the pupa result in an
emerging moth
11. An adult silk moth emerges from the cocoon about two
weeks after completion. This is the adult stage of the
silkworm . The body of the moth is covered in short fine
hair and wings are creamy white with faint brown
lines. Moths can not fly or consume nutrition. Females are
larger and less active than the males. Male moths move
about beating their wings seeking females.
If adults copulate in captivity, the female will lay eggs
within 24 hours. The female usually lies the eggs on the
vertical side of the box or tray. Cover the whole surface
with sheets of paper making it easier to remove the eggs
for storage.
