Eri silkworm

Definition

The domesticated silkworm Samia ricini (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), raised for production of eri silk, a durable, cream-colored fiber spun from open-ended cocoons. Unlike the mulberry-feeding Bombyx mori, larvae feed primarily on castor (Ricinus communis) and related host plants. Native to and commercially cultivated in South and Southeast Asia; adults are non-mulberry silk moths with reduced mouthparts and do not feed.

Etymology

From Assamese 'era' (castor plant, Ricinus communis), the primary host; 'silkworm' follows traditional English usage for silk-producing larvae.

Example

Eri silkworm cocoons are harvested without killing the pupa, allowing the moth to emerge—an important contrast with Bombyx mori sericulture, where pupae are typically stifled to preserve continuous silk filament.

Synonyms

• Samia ricini
• castor silkworm

Related Terms

• Bombyx mori
• Sericulture
• Saturniidae
• tasar silkworm
• mulberry silkworm
• non-mulberry silk
• pupal diapause
• silk gland

Usage Notes

Often contrasted with the domesticated mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori) and wild silk producers such as Antheraea species (tasar, muga). 'Eri' properly refers to the silk product as well as the insect. Taxonomic note: sometimes treated as a domesticated form or subspecies of Samia cynthia; specialist literature should be consulted for current placement.