SUMMARY OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF SILK MOTH
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The female silk moth lays eggs, from which hatch larvae which are called caterpillars or silkworms.
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They grow in size and when the caterpillar is ready to enter the next stage of its life history called pupa, it first weaves a net to hold itself.
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Then it swings its head from side to side in the form of the figure of eight.
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During these movements of the head, the caterpillar secretes fibre made of a protein which hardens on exposure to air and becomes silk fibre.
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Soon the caterpillar completely covers itself by silk fibres. This covering is known as cocoon.
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The further development of the moth continues inside the cocoon.
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Silk fibres are used for weaving silk cloth.
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The silk yarn (thread) is obtained from the cocoon of the silk moth.
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There is a variety of silk moths which look very different from one another and the silk yarn they yield is different in texture (coarse, smooth, shiny, etc.).
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Thus, tassar silk, mooga silk, kosa silk, etc., are obtained from cocoons spun by different types of moths.
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The most common silk moth is the mulberry silk moth.
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The silk fibre from the cocoon of this moth is soft, lustrous and elastic and can be dyed in beautiful colours.
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Sericulture or culture of silkworms is a very old occupation in India.
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India produces plenty of silk on a commercial scale.
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FACTS/BRASS TACKS
In India, women are significantly involved in various kinds of industries related to silk production.
These are rearing of silkworms, reeling of silk from cocoons and processing of raw silk into fabrics.
By their enterprise, they contribute to the nation’s economy.
China leads the world in silk production.
India also ranks among the leading silk producing countries.
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