The moth is a surprising insect. The finest silk bed sheet comes from the silkworms produced by the Bombyx mori moth. The moth cannot fly nor can it see. Its only job is to lay eggs. One moth will lay approximately 500 eggs over a 4-6 day period. Soon after that the moth dies.
Those 500 eggs the Bombyx mori moth lays are very tiny, about as big as the point of a pin. They don’t weigh much either, only about 5 grams or a little under 2 ounces.
The silkworms from the Bombyx mori moth, which produces the finest and purest silk fabric, are fed a diet that consists only of chopped mulberry leaves. The silkworms are fed every half hour around the clock. No wonder they multiply their weight by 10,000 times in a month.
The life cycle of the Bombyx mori moth is full of wonders. Once they lay those tiny eggs, these eggs hatch into small larvae, which are commonly known as silkworms. Over the following weeks, these silkworms continuously feed to satisfy their rapid growth demands. As time goes on, they spin a robust cocoon around themselves to shield against external disturbances.
Inside the cocoon, the silkworms undergo a gradual transformation, experiencing metamorphosis. This is a miraculous stage where the silkworms undergo cellular differentiation and reorganization, ultimately emerging as mature moths. Once the transformation is complete, the mature moths employ a unique chemical substance to dissolve the cocoon, emerging from it to embrace a new phase of life.
This captivating process is significant because the Bombyx mori moth provides humanity with a valuable and high-quality natural fiber resource: silk. Humans utilize the silk secreted by the silkworms’ silk glands to weave an array of splendid fabrics. The life cycle of the Bombyx mori moth is not only a biological marvel but also a beautiful manifestation of the collaboration between humans and nature, showcasing the distinctive wisdom and charm of the natural world.