Our Silkworm Moth Laid Eggs!

What a surprise!  Our one female Silkworm moth has laid eggs! She seems to rarely move except to lay her eggs!

In three days the eggs will turn black if they are fertile, white if they are infertile.  They will hatch in about two weeks after being being subjected to "winter" in the refrigerator.  I read that they can live in the fridge for up to five years!

Three Silkworm Moths Have Emerged!

The silkworm moths - Bombyx mori - have emerged from their cocoons! First graders have been waiting patiently for the moths to arrive!  Finally after about two weeks, three have hatched!

The first one too hatch!

The domesticated moth only lives for 7 to 10 days.  They no longer are able to fly - their bodies are too heavy for their wing span and they don't eat. Their sole job is to mate and lay eggs.

The darker moth is a female (larger),
the other two are males.

The Silkworms Have Been Making Cocoons!

1st graders are nearing the end of their insect unit!  Now that their mealworms are adults, they have been observing other critters and comparing them to their mealworms.  

They have also seen the silkworms grow from a half an inch to about 2 inches! Over the past few days, some of them (about 7) have begun making cocoons of silk! The adult silkworm moth should hatch soon!

The silkworm is busy making it's cocoon.

The start of another cocoon.

Two finished cocoons!

Silkworms and Mulberry Leaves!

1st grade has been looking at silkworms over the past few weeks!  Like the mealworm, the silkworm has body segments and 6 legs.  However, there are some interesting differences!  The silkworm has a set of fake eyes and a horn by it's tail.  We can also see the spiracles - dark spots on the body - through which the silkworm breathes.  All insects have spiracles, but they are harder to see on the mealworm!

The silkworm only eats mulberry leaves!

Look!  They stick on the leaf!

It's hard to pick them up.

I think the fake eyes are to scare predators.

It is so soft!

Look!  It can be upside down and not fall!

I see the breathing holes!

I can see the spike at the back of the silkworm!

Always eating!