Saturday 17 December 2011

Day Thirty Eight

The adult silkworm larvae now have a new type of condominium.
About twenty cocoons are being spun at the moment.

A close up of the latest cocoon.  Inside, the silkworm is still spinning away.

The adult silkworm, preparing to spend the next few days spinning.
This is the typical arch of the silkworm as it makes ready to build its cocoon.

We ran out of leaves today and Mr Honey Pie had to make a special trip down to Nepean River's Tench Reserve to collect more.  He brought back five shopping bags full.  One and a half have already been devoured by the ravenous silkworms.

I think the most important job to growing silkworms is keeping the tanks clean.
This has been a constant task over the past two days.
The amount of frass is astronomical!  
Silkworms can survive without food for up to one week, but if their housing is allowed to go mouldy, then that could be the end of them.

No comments:

Post a Comment