Life-cycle of Silkworm in Resin

Silk as a commercial industry began in northern China over 4,000 years ago. While the larva of most moths and butterflies produce silk, the silkworm has been so commonly domesticated over the years for its silk production that it can no longer survive in the wild. The female silkworm lays her tiny black eggs in the summer or early fall. The eggs lie dormant through the winter months, hatching in the spring as hairy, 3mm long larvae. The larvae eat mulberry leaves ravenously for the next few weeks, growing to about 2 inches long. The baby silkworms then go through five stages of growth, molting at each stage. They lose their hairy exterior with the first molt, and for the rest of their lives as larvae their skin is soft and smooth. After it is done molting, the silkworm spins an oval, white or yellow cocoon and emerges weeks later a full grown silkmoth. The silkworm is now approaching the end of its life – an adult moth cannot fly and it does not eat or drink. It mates, lays eggs, and dies.