⚙️ how
How Is Silk Made?
materialshistoryinsects
Quick Answer
Silk is spun by silkworm caterpillars as a cocoon; the cocoons are softened in hot water and unwound into long threads.
The Full Story
Most commercial silk comes from the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, which feeds almost entirely on mulberry leaves. When ready to pupate, the caterpillar spins a cocoon from a single continuous filament of protein called fibroin, bound with a gum called sericin. Producers soak or steam the cocoons to soften the gum, then unwind the filament, which can be 300 to 900 metres long. Several filaments are twisted together to form one usable thread. Thousands of cocoons are needed to produce a single kilogram of raw silk.
Key Facts
1.Silk production began in China at least 5,000 years ago.
2.China and India are the world's largest producers of silk.
3.Domesticated silk moths cannot fly and depend on humans to breed.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"From mulberry leaf to silk scarf: the ancient craft of sericulture."