There are seven large silk-moths, of which two only (Bombyx mon and Anthenaea yama-mai) are employed in producing silk.
A silk spinning moth, the ailanthus moth (Bombyx or Philosamia cynthia), lives on its leaves, and yields a silk more durable and cheaper than mulberry silk, but inferior to it in fineness and gloss.
But the fibres used for manufacturing purposes are exclusively produced by the mulberry silk-moth of China, Bombyx mori, and a few other moths closely allied to that insect.
The mulberry-feeding moth, Bombyx mori, which is the principal source of silk, belongs to the Bombycidae, a family of Lepidoptera in which are embraced some of the largest and most handsome moths.
- Bombyx mori (male).
- Bombyx mori (female).: _; FIG.
- Larva of Bombyx mori.
- Cocoon of Silk of Bombyx mori.
Of Bombyx mori.
From the blood of Bombyx mori, V.
