Bombyx

Bombyx is the genus of true silk moths or mulberry silk moths of the family Bombycidae, also known as silkworms, which are the larvae or caterpillars of silk moths. The genus was erected by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

Bombyx
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Bombycidae
Genus: Bombyx
Linnaeus, 1758[1]
Synonyms
  • Theophila Moore, 1862

Species

Hybrids

Two instances of semi-natural hybridisation are known within this genus:

Food

The caterpillars feed on Moraceae, especially on mulberries (Morus species).[2] Domestic silkworms may be fed artificial mulberry chow.

References

  1. Pitkin, Brian & Jenkins, Paul (November 5, 2004). "Bombyx Linnaeus, 1758". Butterflies and Moths of the World. Natural History Museum, London. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  2. K. Thangavelu (2003). "Conservation status of silkworm genetic resources in India". In Kee-Wook Sohn (ed.). Conservation Status of Sericulture Germplasm Resources in the World - II. Conservation Status of Silkworm (Bombyx mori) Genetic Resources in the World. Food and Agriculture Organization.


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