Homework Help: Science: Biology: Silk

Silk is made by silkworms that originated in China but can now be found all over the world.

Silkworm caterpillars have six real legs, plus five pairs of pseudo pods (false legs) on the rear of the body. The very rear is split and used for grasping twigs and leaves.

All living animals without backbones are cold-blooded, which includes silkworms and all other insects. However, while moving around, all animals' muscles generate heat. If you have a covered container with lots of big silkworms, when you take the lid off, you can feel the heat that was trapped in the container.

The Latin (scientific name) for the silkworm is Bombyx mori. Bombyx means silkworm, and Mori is the possessive form of the black mulberry tree.

Homework Help: Science: Biology

For Further Reading