Sericulture

Sericulture is the cultivation of silkworms for silk production, combining mulberry farming with insect husbandry and silk processing. The basic aim is to obtain silk fibers from the cocoons spun by domesticated silkworms, most commonly Bombyx mori.

Lifecycle and process: Silkworms begin as eggs laid by moths. After hatching, larvae feed on mulberry leaves and molt through several instars before spinning a single cocoon of continuous silk. The cocoon is usually treated to kill the pupa so the filament can be reeled into raw silk. If the pupa is allowed to develop, the resulting moth emergence can interrupt the silk filament, reducing yield.

Silk types: Mulberry silk is by far the most common. Other silks produced from wild or semi-wild species include tussar, muga, and eri, which require different host plants and rearing conditions and yield fibers with distinct textures and colors.

Production practices: Sericulture requires controlled environmental conditions, healthy host-plant supply, and disease management. Workers incubate eggs, rear larvae, harvest cocoons, and process filaments into thread or fabric. Sustainability efforts focus on improving leaf production, breeding better silkworm strains, and reducing chemical inputs.

History and significance: Silk production originated in China and spread along trade routes to India, the Middle East, and Europe. Today sericulture remains an important rural activity in several countries, notably China and India, supporting livelihoods and textile industries while facing challenges from disease, climate change, and market competition.