1. caterpillars that produce silk cocoons, especially those of the domesticated moth Bombyx mori used commercially for silk production

Examples

• The silkworms spun their cocoons after feeding on mulberry leaves for weeks.
• Ancient Chinese farmers carefully tended their silkworms to produce fine silk thread.
• The biology class observed silkworms transforming from caterpillars to moths.
• Silkworms have been domesticated for over 5,000 years.
• The silkworms require a steady diet of fresh mulberry leaves to thrive.
• Commercial silk production depends on raising healthy silkworms in controlled conditions.