Silkworms, also known as moth caterpillars, produce silk cocoons to protect themselves from outside threats (Karmakar, 1999). The two silk glands are called spinnerets and they are located in the mouths of the worms (Karmarkar, 1999). When the substance is exposed to the air, it solidifies into a thread (Karmakar, 1999).
Throughout a silkworm's life, there are four stages it transitions through...
- Egg
- Larva
- Pupa
- Moth (Karmakar, 1999)
The silk from a moth caterpillar depends on two factors; the species and the diet (Karmakar, 1999).
The Species |
The four different kinds of silkworms include the Mulberry, the Tassar, the Eri and the Muga (Karmakar, 1999). The Mulberry produces an astonishing 95% of the world's silk (Karmakar, 1999)!
The three other types of silkworms produce stiffer and more coarse silk and are deemed as "wild" silk (Karmakar, 1999). |
The Diet |
The silkworm's diet can change the amino acids that are present in the silk (Pierson, 1999). This could affect the tertiary formation level and create varying traits in the silk (Sashina, Bochek, Kirichenko, 2006).
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