How Do Farmers Grow Silkworms?

Silkworm Provisions

• Silkworms are actually the larvae of a specific moth called the Bombyx Mori. They are native to warm Asian climates and feed exclusively on the leaves of the mulberry tree. While you can raise silkworms artificially in a container filled with moist mulberry leaves, farmers who raise silkworms in their natural habitat begin by planting mulberry trees in a warm, slightly shady area. The silkworms will need many mulberry leaves to feed on during their life cycle. The leaves must be kept clean and free of dust and other insects at all times.

Hatching

• Like most insects, silkworms go through four stages of development including egg, larva, pupa and adult. Modern silkworms are entirely domesticated and cannot live without human cultivation. Silkworm eggs are readily available from suppliers worldwide, but most established farmers simply breed their existing silkworms to obtain eggs for hatching. Silkworm eggs can be preserved in cold storage until they are needed, and they hatch in about seven to 10 days after exposure to warm air.

Feeding

• Once the silkworm hatches, it begins to feed immediately on the mulberry leaves and grows quickly. As it grows, the silkworm sheds its skin a number of times in a process called molting. During this period, the farmers ensure the silkworms have plenty of mulberry leaves, warm weather and shade to protect them. The farmers also work diligently to protect the silkworms from predators and disease.

Spinning

• After about two weeks, the farmers carefully remove the silkworms from the trees or feeding containers and place them on mounds of straw. Each silkworm is situated in its own separate area where it begins to spin a cocoon of long silk threads. The cocoons are then heated to halt the development of the chrysalises within to prevent the adult moth from breaking out of the cocoon and destroying the silk threads. The cocoons are then carefully unraveled and sold to silk weavers.

Breeding

• A select number of cocoons will be allowed to hatch naturally, and the resulting adult moths will be allowed to breed. Once the moths lay their eggs, they die naturally. The total life cycle is about 30 days.