• The female silk moth lays eggs on the leaves of the Mulberry tree.
  • The eggs hatch to form Larvae known as caterpillars or silkworms.
  • Caterpillars grow in size and enter the Pupa stage.
  • It weaves a net to hold itself and then swings its head from side to side in the form of a figure of eight (8).
  • During this movement, it secretes fibre made of protein, which hardens when exposed to air . This is known as the silk fibre .
  • The silkworm or Caterpillar covers itself completely with silk fibres, this covering is known as Cocoon.
  • Further development of the Pupa into the moth takes place in the cocoon .
  • When the development into an adult silk moth is complete, then the cocoon splits and a silk moth comes out.
  • The adult female silk moth then lays more eggs .

In this way, life of the silkworm continues.

 

What is a Caterpillar or Silkworm?

The female silk moth lays eggs from which hatch larvae which are called caterpillars or silkworms .

 

What is Pupa?

When a silkworm is ready to enter the next stage of development it is known as Pupa .

It first weaves a net to hold itself then it swings its head from side to side in the form of a figure of eight(8) weaving a cocoon.

 

What is Cocoon?

The silky covering spun by a silkworm in the Pupa stage is called Cocoon.

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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo