Silkworms: A Book Report For Haters

A silkworm is essentially the caterpillar stage of a certain type of moth. The Bombyx mori, to be precise. Their preferred diet is mulberry leaves. Silkworms are completely domesticated and can no longer survive or be found in the wild. Silk is produced from their salivary glands. The silk is harvested from the cocoons that take them from silkworm to silkmoth. The silkworm will use enzymes to break out of the cocoon, which are obviously damaging to it. Therefore, the cocoons are boiled to both kill the worms and loosen the silk. In some countries the worms are eaten. A cocoon consists of a single fiber that can measure anywhere from 1000 to 3000 feet long. It takes 2000-3000 cocoons to make one pound of silk. In conclusion, suck my balls. And thank you Wikipedia.