How many types of silkworms. In these studies the scientists work to sequence the worms genomes. By ot jae. China is the largest silk producer and consumer in the world followed by india where indian sarees made from silk are famous. There are many varieties such as the chinese tasar silkworm antherae pernyi guerin which produces the largest quantity of non mulberry silk in the world the indian tasar silkworm antheraea mylitte dury next in importance and the japanese tasar silkworm antheraea yamamai querin.
Another type of study aims to determine how silkworms became domesticated. This will help them to determine how many different variations of domesticated silkworms exist today. Bombyx mori the domestic silk moth is an insect from the moth family bombycidaeit is the closest relative of bombyx mandarina the wild silk moththe silkworm is the larva or caterpillar of a silk moth. There are several types of silk commercially known and produced around the world.
Scientists estimate that the domestication occurred approximately 5000 years ago. The tasar silkworms belong to the genus antheraea and they are all wild silkworms. However only silk from the silkworms is used for textile purposes. It is an economically important insect being a primary producer of silka silkworms preferred food are white mulberry leaves though they may eat other mulberry species and even the osage.