Silk moths. Male (right) and female (lower centre) silk moths (Bombyx mori) with eggs on a cocoon. These moths are farmed for the silk cocoons which t

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Silk moths. Male (right) and female (lower centre) silk moths (Bombyx mori) with eggs on a cocoon. These moths are farmed for the silk cocoons which the silkworms (caterpillars) produce to protect themselves as pupae during metamorphosis. Once the cocoons are complete, the pupae are killed to prevent the silk being damaged by the emerging moths. Some are allowed to emerge and breed, ensuring a new generation of caterpillars.

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Size: 3517px × 5027px
Photo credit: © PASCAL GOETGHELUCK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, bombyx, cocoon, egg, eggs, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, laying, mori, moth, nature, silk, wildlife, zoology