Domestic Silkmoth
Image: Jan van Kessel d. Ä. (Public domain)
Common NameDomestic Silkmoth
Scientific NameBombyx mori
FamilyBombycidae
SubfamilyBombycinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Primary Colorswhite, cream, pale brown
HabitatDomesticated, associated with human cultivation
Geographic RangeGlobally distributed in areas of silk production, originating from China
Host PlantsMulberry (Morus spp.)
Flight PeriodContinuous breeding in captivity
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs hatch into larvae (silkworms) which feed exclusively on mulberry leaves. After several molts, the silkworm spins a silk cocoon, pupates inside, and then emerges as an adult moth.
Identification TipsAdult moths are characterized by their pale coloration, stout body, and often reduced flight ability due to domestication. The larvae are distinctive for their large size, pale segmented bodies, and their silk-spinning behavior.
Description
A medium-sized, pale moth with a stout, hairy body and broad wings, typically white or cream with faint brown markings. The larvae, known as silkworms, are large and pale.
