Seidenraupe

Seidenraupe is the common name for the larva of the silk moth, most notably the domestic silk moth, Bombyx mori. These caterpillars are primarily known for their role in silk production. The domestic silk moth is believed to have been domesticated from the wild silkworm, Bombyx mandarina, thousands of years ago in ancient China. Seidenraupen are characterized by their segmented bodies and voracious appetites, feeding almost exclusively on the leaves of the mulberry tree. This diet is crucial for their development and the quality of the silk they produce.

The life cycle of a seidenraupe involves several stages. After hatching from an egg, the larva feeds and grows, molting its skin multiple times. The final larval stage is when the seidenraupe begins to spin its cocoon. This cocoon is constructed from a single, continuous strand of raw silk, secreted from glands in the caterpillar's head. The silk is a protein-based fiber that hardens upon exposure to air. Once the cocoon is complete, the seidenraupe pupates inside. The process of harvesting silk typically involves boiling the cocoons to kill the pupa and loosen the silk filament, allowing it to be unreeled. Uncultivated wild silkworms also exist, but the domesticated seidenraupe is the primary source for the vast majority of commercial silk.