Describe the life cycle of a silk moth.

Last updated at Dec. 13, 2024 by Teachoo

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 .

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.

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