What types of silk moth. Although native to china the silkworm has been introduced throughout the world and has undergone complete domestication with the species no longer being found in the. Mulberry silk is mainly imported from china or india where farmers grow mulberry trees. The two pairs of wings are always held horizontally when the moths are in resting position. Mulberry silk is the most popular type of silk and also the highest quality available for purchase.
The tasar silkworms belong to the genus antheraea and they are all wild silkworms. Whatever the source these moths and worms produce a protein fibroin that is the main element in silk. The larvae of this moth produce tussar silk and exquisite silk which has a glossy finish is naturally stain resistant and becomes better with age. Silkworms which are of massive commercial importance for the production of silk are actually the larvae of a moth bombyx mori.
Mulberry silk forms around 90 of all silk supply in the world. Moths actually constitute an overwhelming majority in the order as 90 of the. There are many species of silk moth which can produce the silk of commerce but only few have been exploited by man for the purpose. Moths are members of the same genetic order as butterflies lepidoptera.
The uniqueness of the silk lies in the production process. A list of various types of moths with stunning pictures. 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. 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.
They are found in great many colors including bronze chocolate brown brownish grey chromium yellow and khaki. Mainly four types of silk have been recognised which are secreted by different. Moths belonging to families satumidae and bombycidae of order lepidoptera and class insecta produce silk of commerce. You might not realise but silk can be made from many varieties of silkworm and sometimes no worms at all as youll discover in a minute.
The colour is creamish white the antennae are short and plumose and mouth parts are of sucking type. 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. Different types of silkworm will create fabrics with different characteristics.