Day Fifty Three

Silkworm condominium has increased from four to five levels.

The sun shone today, the temperature rose to the mid twenties and not much else happened.

The little creatures are metamorphosing quietly in their cosy cocoons.

My influenza is still bothersome but improving.  When I start feeling more energetic I have to start cleaning up the tanks in preparation for the moths' emergence.

Hundreds of moths.....

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.

Day Thirty One

Today I took the opportunity of parting with some more of the silkworms at our local Crop and Swap.  Four more batches in fact.  That is between eighty and one hundred of them.

But looking at what's left, no one would even know.

And yes, I've added a fourth level to the condominium.

Day Thirty

The largest of the silkworms is weighing in at around two grams, its length six centimetres.
I'm feeling quite concerned that the larvae are getting so large that they may begin to squash each other.
Because of this concern I'm contemplating adding another level to the condominium to give them more room to spread out.

About fifty more silkworms left home late yesterday, to replace the ones lost by one of my customers.
She revealed to me that she had a Glade Air Freshener in the same room as the silkworms and that this is what may have caused their demise.
I have received a message from her today telling me that this new batch is thriving.  They are residing in her daughter's bedroom as opposed to the kitchen.

Day Twenty Nine, Week 5

Silkworm Condominium