Silkworm Questions
Where can I find instructions for the Silkworm kit?
You can view the instructions for the silkworm kit here.
How long will the whole process take?
The average lifecycle will take 9-12 weeks but will depend on various factors such as temperature.
How long will it take my silkworm eggs to hatch?
The eggs should take around 7-21 days to hatch and should be kept somewhere warm but out of direct sunlight, at around 24 degrees Celsius.
You may notice the eggs change from a grey/purple colour to a blue colour, this means they are getting ready to hatch.
What temperature should the silkworms be kept at?
Generally speaking your silkworms will develop faster in warmer conditions and it is important to keep the temperature fairly constant.
The eggs should take around 7-21 days to hatch and should be kept somewhere warm but out of direct sunlight, at around 24 degrees Celsius.
In the early stages of development leave the lid fully on for humidity. Once the worms reach 2-3 cm you should only loosely place the lid on top to allow air to circulate.
How often should I feed the silkworms?
Once your silkworms have started hatching you will need to feed them. When they first hatch they are tiny and will not eat much to begin with but will turn into eating machines when they grow bigger!
You will need to take just enough food out of the fridge for each feed (to begin with a few bits the size of pinhead will be plenty). Be careful not to use too much during the early stages as you may begin to run out later on.
Place the food onto the mesh, try and add it as close to them as possible. Feed them enough so they eat most of it before it dries out. When they have eaten all their food or it has dried out you simply need to feed them again, this can be multiple times a day.
DO NOT PUT WATER IN WITH YOUR SILKWORMS THEY WILL GET THIS FROM THEIR FOOD.
How often do I clean the silkworm rearing tub?
At least every other day you should remove the droppings and any dried out food from the rearing tub, this is
best achieved by carefully removing the mesh (with the food and silkworms attached, you may have to
use the forceps to make sure all the worms are on the mesh) and placing it on the upturned lid while
you remove the droppings.
To remove the droppings just use a small paintbrush or tissue. Then carefully replace the mesh into the tub. If any silkworms have come away from the mesh just use the forceps or a small paintbrush to return them to the rearing tub.
Can I handle the silkworms?
No, the silkworms should not be handled as this may introduce harmful bacteria.
My Silkworms are not eating or moving, what's wrong?
Don’t worry, this is normal and actually means your silkworms are healthy and growing. Because their soft skins do not stretch as they grow they must shed their skins. You will see them moult 3-4 times during their growth. Your silkworms will be inactive for 2-3 days before moulting.
How long before my silkworms start spinning silk?
Although your silkworms send out threads of silk to help them move around they do not start spinning their silk cocoons until they are about 5-8 weeks old.
How long does it take for them to spin their cocoons?
Your silkworms will need about 3 full days to complete their cocoons.
How long will the silkworms be in their cocoons?
It can vary but approximately 12-21 days. During this time try not to disturb the cocoons.
What habitat do I need to keep the moths in?
Once you have separated the males and females you can keep them in a shoe box or similar – you may want to build them a home out of cardboard with things to crawl on (remember they cannot fly).
What do I need to do with the adult moths when they emerge?
It is VERY important to separate the males from the females. The females are shorter and fatter than the males and it should be easy to tell the difference. Each female can lay up to 500 eggs!
What do the moths eat?
Nothing!! They have no mouths. They survive on stored body fats and fluids.
How long will the moths live?
7-14 days. You may notice the females tend to live longer than the males.
Can I release the silk moths into the environment?
Due to their inability to fly they may not be able to venture very far if released and would be very easy prey for more agile creatures. Silk moths no longer exist in the wild due to the selective breeding which has taken place over thousands of years. We recommend that you do not release them.
If the moths do mate, what do I do with the eggs?
After about 20 days the eggs will hatch, this can be delayed by placing them in the fridge. If you do not want them to hatch place them in the freezer for a week. Make sure you have found a suitable supply of food before allowing the eggs to hatch.
My female has laid eggs even though I separated the males and females! What should I do?
The females lay eggs even if they do not mate. But don’t worry the eggs will be unfertilised.