1. the caterpillar of a domesticated moth that spins a cocoon of fine silk fibers

Examples

• The silkworm feeds exclusively on mulberry leaves.
• Ancient China was the first civilization to cultivate silkworms for silk production.
• Each silkworm cocoon contains a single continuous silk thread.
• The silkworm undergoes complete metamorphosis from larva to moth.
• Farmers carefully tend their silkworms in controlled temperature conditions.
• The silkworm industry remains important in several Asian countries.