Question

Explain the life cycle of the silk moth.

Answer 1

Silk moth:

1. Silk moths are the organisms that produce threadlike material from which silk is obtained.
2. They are domesticated for obtaining commercial silk which is secreted by the salivary glands of the silk moth.
3. This process of production of silk from the silk moth is called sericulture.
4. For obtaining the commercial silk the cocoons are treated with hot water or placed in a hot oven to kill the pupae inside it.
5. Hence, silk moths are economically important insects as they are used to commercially synthesize silk fibre.

The life cycle of the silk moth:

Phase 1: Egg

1. An egg's formation marks the life cycle's beginning.
2. A female moth lays around 350 to 400 eggs at once.
3. The eggs require a warm surrounding to hatch generally in the spring season each year.

Phase 2: Silkworm

1. A furry silkworm is seen in this stage after the hatching of an egg.
2. In this phase of their life cycle, growth blooms.
3. Silkworms feed on mulberry leaves for about 30 days continuously before entering the next phase.

Phase 3: Cocoon

1. This phase is marked by cocoon formation which silkworms spin around them.
2. A cocoon is around the size of a small cotton ball and is made of a single strand of silk thread.

Phase 4: Pupa

1. This is an immobile stage.
2. In this phase, people kill the pupa by boiling the cocoon in water and uncoiling the silk thread.

Phase 5: Moth

1. In this phase, the pupa grows into an adult moth.
2. The female moth lays eggs after mating; hence, the life cycle of the silkworm starts again.