Silkworm

The silkworm, the caterpillar of the domestic silk moth, is best known for its role in making silk. These insects thrive on mulberry leaves and have been raised by humans for thousands of years. Unlike their wild relatives, domestic silkworms rely entirely on people to survive and reproduce.

• Silkworms spin silk cocoons that are harvested to make fabric.
• They mainly eat white mulberry leaves but can eat other plants.
• Domestic silkworms cannot survive without human care.