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1 C I E N C E I N E C T B OMBYCIDAE i l k m o t h s ilkmoth ericulture This Enrichment4You e-guide provides a brief overview of silkmoth sericulture In this e-guide you will: Learn basic information about raising silkmoths including: A Brief History of ericulture, The cientific Method, Raising ilkmoths and ericulture Math. ENRICHMENT4YOU Published by Henrich Incorporated Copyright 2003 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without first obtaining the written permission of the copyright owner. Insects ilkmoths

2 ABOUT THI ENRICHMENT GUIDE This enrichment guide is designed to give you a short, but interesting description of silkmoth sericulture. This Enrichment4You e-guide is divided into several fun sections for you to explore: 1. Overview of ilkmoth ericulture - Pages How to Use the cientific Method - Pages Raising ilkmoths - Pages ilkworm Math - Pages Insects ilkmoths

3 ericulture is big business. Even from ancient times where silk became a valuable trade item and the famous ilk Road across China developed, these amazing creatures have spawned whole industries. When cocoons raised by silk farmers are ready for harvesting, they are taken to a Filature factory. Filature factories unwind the thread or filament from the cocoons and collect them onto skeins. I L K M O T H CORE CONCEPT AT THE FILATURE FACTORY tep 1 - The cocoons are sorted Cocoons have different values. They are sorted by their shape, color, size and texture. Cocoons can be gray, yellow and the preferred white color. Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all virtues. -Joseph Hall tep 2 - The ericin is oftened The silk filament is held in place on the cocoon by a substance called sericin or silk gum. This must be softened prior to the cocoon being unwound. Through a process of cold and hot water baths, the sericin becomes soft, allowing for the single filament thread to be unwound. tep 3 - The filament is reeled The silk filament is unwound and joined together with five to eight other filaments to form a single thread. Reeled silk is commonly between 300 to 600 meters long. tep 4 - Bailing ilk reeled skeins are now packed together into books or small bundles. Each bundle generally weigh between 2 to 4.5 kg. Insects 1 ilkmoths

4 Weaving Gold Once the silk books are made they are sent to textile mills around the world. Most textile mills are busy and noisy. Many different types of fabric are produced from silk thread. ilk fabrics are produced both on hand and power looms. CORE CONCEPT From a single strandwealth. Insects 2 ilkmoths cientists have estimated that there are approximately 70 different types of silk moths that could be used in some sort of commercial application. Out of this seventy, only four types are used for silk production. These include: Eri silk, Tasar silk, Muga silk and Mulberry silk. Most commercial silk comes from the Bombyx Mori silkmoth, but there are some wild varieties that are produced in remote and natural locations.

5 Fabrics to Awe From humble beginnings to the fabric of royalty What a silkworm eats, will result in the type of silk it will produce. The following are some of the different types of silk produced by silkmoths: Plain ilk Fabrics such as those used for shirts, scarves and fashion accessories. Dupion Fabrics produce dress material, interior accessories such as curtains and pillows. Charka Fabric is a thicker fabric used to make Indian saries. Chiffon Fabric is a lightweight and delicate material with a translucent quality. It is frequently used for fashion accessories such as scarves and ladies dresses. Insects 3 ilkmoths Chinnon is used for dresses and scarves. It is woven on power looms and has a crimped texture. Crepe is a light weight silk fabric. Indian saris are frequently made from this fabric. Organza is a lightweight and thin fabric with a stiff texture that is created from being starched after weaving. atin has a flowing, heavier texture frequently used for wedding dresses. Tabby silk is mostly used for printed saris and scarves.

6 tages of Development From baby to adult TAGE 1 - OVA: Incubation days ilkmoth eggs start out very small. They are approximately the size of a pin head. The egg has a protective coating that begins as a light yellow color. If the eggs are fertilized, they will turn a blue-gray color over a few days time. TAGE 2 - Instar The next stage in a silkmoth s development is the larva stage. This is the silkworm period when the larva eats a lot of mulberry leaves. During this stage, the larva will molt four times. Each molting is called an instar. TAGE 3 - PUPA: 14 DAY The stage when the larva spins a cocoon is called the pupa state. ilkmoth cocoons can be grayish, yellowish or white. The silk cocoon serves as protection for the pupa. The pupa will not eat during this stage. Insects 4 ilkmoths TAGE 4 - IMAGO: 5-7 DAY The final stage of the silkmoth development is the imago. This is when the silkmoth will mate and lay eggs. It does not eat during this stage. Once it mates, the silkmoth will die and the process will repeat itself.