Silkworms

Definition

The larval stage of domesticated silk moths (Bombyx mori), raised commercially for silk production and widely used as a model organism in developmental biology, genetics, and sericulture research. Silkworms are holometabolous insects that feed exclusively on mulberry leaves (Morus spp.) during their five instars, then spin a protective cocoon from a single continuous silk filament extruded from modified salivary glands. Through millennia of artificial selection, domestic strains have lost flight ability, reduced pigmentation, and increased silk yield compared to their wild ancestor Bombyx mandarina.

Etymology

From Middle English 'silke' + 'worm', referring to the larva's production of silk fiber; the term predates formal recognition of the complete metamorphosis separating larval, pupal, and adult stages.

Example

In laboratory settings, silkworms are reared on artificial diet to study the hormonal regulation of metamorphosis, while commercial operations maintain temperature-controlled environments to synchronize cocoon spinning for efficient silk reeling.

Synonyms

• silkworm larvae
• Bombyx mori larvae

Related Terms

• Sericulture
• Bombycidae
• mulberry
• cocoon
• pupal diapause
• fibroin
• instar
• holometabolous
• domestication syndrome

Usage Notes

Strictly refers to larvae of Bombyx mori in technical contexts; 'silkworm' is sometimes applied loosely to larvae of other silk-producing Lepidoptera (e.g., Antheraea mylitta, the tasar silkworm, or Samia cynthia, the ailanthus silkworm), but specialists prefer 'wild silkworm' or specific species names for these. The term is not used for the adult moth, which is properly called the domestic silk moth.