Animal Husbandry (Livestock) > Sericulture

Sericulture, or silk farming, is the process of raising silkworms to produce silk. The most commonly used species for silk production is the Bombyx mori, a domesticated silkmoth that no longer exists in the wild due to selective breeding. Silk production originated in China during the Neolithic period and has been an important industry since.

History of Silk:

Silk was discovered in China around 3500 BC and was traded to other parts of the world for many years. With advancements in technology, manufacturers can now produce various types of silk from different silkworm species, each with unique lustre and texture. Mulberry silk is the most commonly used type for silk production, and the process of raising silkworms for silk is called sericulture.

Stage 1: Egg
The life cycle begins with eggs laid by a female moth, which are tiny and dot-like. Each female lays over 350 eggs at a time. The eggs hatch in spring due to the warmth in the air, occurring once a year.

Stage 2: Silkworm
After hatching, hairy silkworms emerge. During this stage, they grow rapidly by feeding on mulberry leaves for about 30 days before transitioning to the next stage.

Stage 3: Cocoon
The silkworms spin a protective cocoon around themselves, resembling a small cotton ball. The cocoon is made from a continuous silk thread.

Stage 4: Pupa
At this motionless stage, the silkworm becomes a pupa. Ten days before the pupa transforms into an adult, the cocoons are transferred into boiling water, which kills the pupa and loosens the silk fibres. These fibres are then unwound, processed, and reeled to create various kinds of fabric woven from the silk threads.

Stage 5: Moth
The pupa transforms into an adult moth. After mating, the female moth lays eggs, completing the silkworm’s life cycle.

Life cycle of the silk moth

Processing of Silk: The process of extracting silk begins by exposing the cocoon to sunlight. The silk is separated, and reeling involves unwinding the silk thread from the cocoon. The threads are then bleached and spun into silk fibres to create silk fabric.

• Meaning — A branch of applied zoology dealing with the rearing of silkworms and the production of silk; it needs less investment and a small space.
• Types of Silk — Mulberry silk (best) → Bombyx mori; Tussar & Eri silk → inferior quality.
• Quality Factor — Quality & quantity of silk depend on the quality of mulberry leaves fed to larvae.
• Enemies — Larvae attacked by protozoans, viruses, fungi + predators like ants, crows, birds → cages must be well-managed.
• Importance — One of India's oldest industries; can be done by disabled, elderly & handicapped persons too.