In this article we will discuss about the structure of silk moth (Bombyx) with the help of a diagram.
Fig. 254 BOMBYX LIFE CYCLE
1. It is otherwise called “Bombyx” and produces silk. It is reared on mulberry leaves.
2. The body is divisible into head, thorax and abdomen. The abdomen is short and stout.
3. The colour is creamish white, the antennae are short and plumose and mouth parts are of sucking type.
4. The two pairs of wings are always held horizontally when the moths are in resting position.
5. The sexes are separate and life history is completed through a larval stage the caterpillar or silk worm and a pupal stage – the chrysalis. The female lays about 400 eggs at a time and dies after laying eggs.
6. The larva is a voracious feeder and during this period it moults four times. When fully grown it stops feeding and starts secreting liquid silk through spinnerets. The liquid silk hardens into five filaments which stick together into silk thread. The silk breads are wrapped around the silk worm and forms a cocoon or pupal case. Inside the cocoon the silk worm develops into a pupa in 15 days.
7. One silk worm secretes 1000-1500 meters of silk threads.