Question

Write a short note.

Sericulture 

Answer 1

Sericulture is the rearing of silkworms (moths) for production of silk. Bombyx mori is the most commonly used variety for this purpose. The life cycle of the silk moth consists of four stages, namely egg, larva, pupa and adult. Thousands of eggs deposited by female moths are incubated artificially to shorten the incubation period. Larvae hatching out of eggs are released on mulberry plants. Larvae are nourished by feeding on mulberry leaves. After feeding for 3-4 days, larvae move to branches of mulberry plant. The silk thread is formed from the secretion of their salivary glands. Larvae spin this thread around themselves to form a cocoon. The cocoon may be spherical in shape.

Ten days before the pupa turns into an adult, all the cocoons are transferred into boiling water. Due to the boiling water, the pupa dies in the cocoon and silk fibres become loose. These fibres are unwound, processed and reeled. Various kinds of fabric is woven from silk threads.