Silkworms have virtually disappeared from the wild, but the species is not threatened because it is mass-reared in many large Asian nurseries. The silk industry is very widespread, since it produces one of the most precious fabrics in the world.
Silkworms are also adopted as pets, because of their ease of care, economy, simple feeding, and the didactic sense of their breeding. If you are interested in knowing the secrets of reproduction of silkworms, continue reading our site.
How do silkworms reproduce?
The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is the caterpillar of a butterfly. Before knowing how silkworms reproduce, we have to understand that there are univoltine and polyvoltine insects. Namely:
- Univoltine insects: are those insects that only lay eggs once a year. In this case, the process of silkworms is based on being born in spring, developing during this season and early summer to die within a few days.
- Polyvoltine insects: are those that lay several eggs a year. Although it is more common for silkworms to be univoltine, there are also polyvoltines.
Now yes, you may be wondering if silkworms are hermaphrodites because you don't know how they are born. Copulation between silkworms occurs through the abdomen. This process can last a few hours in which the individuals will remain practically immobile and linked by the tip of the abdomen
Below here the female silkworm lays between 300 and 400 eggs. Through rows,openings near the larva's mouth, silkworms create a viscous, protein-filled fluid. Once in contact with the air, this fluid becomes hard and this is how they produce the silk where they lay their eggs.
Life cycle of silkworms
These lepidoptera have a very defined life cycle that is based on mating and laying eggs. Let's see what happens at both times:
- Mating: Adults mate during their short lifespan.
- Egg: After laying the eggs take 15 days to hatch if the temperature is right. Now that you know when silkworms are born, we present each stage of these worms in more detail.
When do silkworms hatch?
We have been able to see that the silkworms hatch 15 days after laying the eggs, but it should be noted that there are some specifications that determine when the silkworms hatch.
- The temperature: the cold dries out the eggs. Ideally, they should be at a temperature between 18 and 20º, which corresponds to spring.
- Ambient humidity: The higher the humidity, the softer the eggshell becomes, making it easier for them to hatch.
- The length of the day or night: The longer the day, the longer the eggs have to hatch.
Larva
The silkworm process is divided into 4 different phases. After the egg, the larva phase follows to give rise to the chrysalis and, later, to the imago or adult. These larvae (caterpillars) begin a growth process in which they go through 4 consecutive skin changes as they grow:
- First moult: lasts 3 days.
- Second moult: lasts 4 days.
- Third moult: lasts 5 days.
- Fourth moult: lasts 6 days.
At the end of the last moult, the caterpillar is about 8 cm long and after a few days it will wrap itself in a silken cocoon. These cocoons normally have 3 colors depending on the genetics and feeding of the worm. They can be white, yellow or orange.
Silk Cocoon
Silkworms feed exclusively on mulberry leaves. To avoid infections that spoil the brood, it is advisable to frequently clean their droppings and withered leaves, renewing them with fresh leaves.
At this point the silkworms reach the chrysalis or pupa stage When the caterpillar has reached its apex, it is isolated in a dry place and initiates the formation of the cocoon. It normally occurs about 10 days after the last moult. The process of cocoon formation occupies the chrysalis about 3 days. Inside, the metamorphosis will take place that will turn the pupa into a butterfly.
Butterfly
We get to the point where the silkworm becomes imago or adult When the butterfly comes out of the cocoon it doesn't feed. It spends its entire lifetime (3 to 15 days) mating, laying eggs, and then dying. It should be noted that we can differentiate male and female silkworms because the latter are smaller and slimmer than females.
In addition, one of the curiosities of butterflies is that, once they have laid, the specimens die, so their carcasses must be removed immediately to prevent infections.
Now that you know how long it takes silkworms to turn into butterflies, don't miss the next article on our site with All about feeding silkworms.
Silkworm curiosities
Now that you know how silkworms reproduce and when they are born, we are going to introduce you to some curiosities about these insects that may interest you.
- The cocoon of the silkworm is made up of a very fine continuous thread between 750 and 1,500 meters.
- The longer, the better quality the thread boasts because it means it is finer and lighter.
- Silkworms are also eaten as food in various Asian countries.
- A shoebox with some small holes in the lid is an ideal habitat for 9 silkworms and mulberry leaves.
Silk
It is literarily famous since the time of Marco Polo, the so-called: Silk Road However, it was not this extraordinary traveler who first European to start this route. His own father and uncle went through it before him. Although for many centuries before, the Romans used the silk that arrived in Egypt at the time of the Roman imperial domination.
Silk arrived there through the ancient and diversified silk route that was distributed through various Asian kingdoms. A network of roads with more than 5000 km, dotted with mythical cities such as Samarkand and many other ancient cities and kingdoms.
These routes were traveled by caravans of camels, horses and other beasts of burden. In its course were the so-called: caravansarays, which were shelters used for overnight stays.
