silkworm

Silkworm a common name for the silk-producing larvae of several species of butterflies. The adult silkworm moth is usually yellow or whitish in color, has a thick, hairy body, and a wingspan of about 3.8 cm (1.5 in). The adult moth has a rudimentary mouthpart, and does not eat during its short adult life. The female moth dies soon after laying its eggs, while the male moth lives for a short time after that. The female moth lays 300 to 400 blue eggs at a time, and the eggs are held together by a gummy substance secreted by the female. The larvae, which hatch in late winter and early spring, are about 0.6 cm (0.25 in) long. The larvae feed on white mulberry, orange, sage, or lettuce leaves. Silkworm larvae that live on mulberry leaves produce the finest silk. Adult larvae are 7.5 cm (about 3 inches) long and are yellowish-gray or dark gray in color.