Silkkiäistoukat

Silkkiäistoukat, scientific name Bombyx mori, are the larval stage of the domestic silk moth. They are crucial for the production of silk, a natural protein fiber. These caterpillars are domesticated and have been selectively bred for thousands of years, making them unable to survive in the wild. Their primary purpose is to consume mulberry leaves and grow, storing energy for the pupal stage where silk production occurs.

The silk industry relies heavily on silkkiäistoukat. Once hatched from eggs, the larvae feed voraciously on mulberry leaves, growing rapidly through several molts. After approximately 30-40 days, when they reach their full size, they begin to spin a cocoon around themselves. This cocoon is made of a single, continuous thread of raw silk, which can be up to 900 meters long. The silk thread is secreted from two glands on the caterpillar's head and is coated with sericin, a gummy protein that hardens upon contact with air.

After spinning the cocoon, the silkkiäistoukka enters the pupal stage inside. The cocoons are then harvested, and the pupae are typically killed by heat or steam before they can emerge as moths. This process preserves the integrity of the silk thread. The sericin is then dissolved in hot water, allowing the silk filament to be unwound and processed into various textiles. The domesticated nature of silkkiäistoukat means they are entirely dependent on human care for their survival and reproduction, making them a significant part of agricultural history and global trade.