The silkworm is the larva of Bombyx mori, the domestic silk moth, a species in the family Bombycidae and the closest relative of the wild silk moth Bombyx mandarina. Silkworms are of major economic importance as the primary producers of commercial silk, and feed mainly on the leaves of white mulberry, though they can eat other mulberry species and occasionally other plants. After millennia of selective breeding the domestic silk moth is now entirely dependent on humans for reproduction, unlike its wild relatives, which remain far less commercially useful for silk production.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceAdult moths have a wingspan of 3 to 5 cm and a white, hairy body. 1 Comparison
CITES Appendix Scientific Name Connections
In the Other Atlases
Same As
Also in Agriculture and Farming Atlas: the same subject.
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Bombyx mori - Wikipedia
Wikidata claim P225 taxon name
Bombyx mori
Moth section
Silk moths have a wingspan of 3-5 cm (1-2 in) and a white, hairy body.
- domesticated moth reliant on mulberry leaves
Lead
The silkworm's preferred food are the leaves of white mulberry, though they may eat other species of mulberry, and even leaves of other plants.
Wikipedia article, human interaction description
Bombyx mori, commonly known as the domestic silk moth, is a domesticated moth species belonging to the family Bombycidae.
View the Source2. UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Insecta
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 28Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 28
"cites_listing":"I/II/III/NC","eu_listing":"A/B/C/NC","higher_taxa":{"kingdom":"Animalia","phylum":"Arthropoda","class":"Insecta","order":null,"family":null},"synonyms":[],"common_names":[{"name":"Insectos","language":"ES"},{"name":"Insects","language":"EN"},{"name":"Insectes","language":"FR"},{"name":"昆虫纲","language":"ZH"}],"cites_listings":[]
View the Source IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
GBIF Species API
Wikidata: Silkworm
Wikidata Q134747, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Lepidoptera
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 88Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 88
"cites_listing":"I/II/III/NC","eu_listing":"A/B/C/NC","higher_taxa":{"kingdom":"Animalia","phylum":"Arthropoda","class":"Insecta","order":"Lepidoptera","family":null},"synonyms":[],"common_names":[{"name":"鳞翅目","language":"ZH"}],"cites_listings":[]
View the Source Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: LepidopteraView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.