Which Leaves Do Silkworms Eat?

There are many species of silkworms, although the domesticated species is called Bombyx mori. Anyone hoping to raise silkworms at home needs to have a greenhouse to reproduce the climate needed for them and for their main food: mulberry leaves.

Types

Silkworms only feed from the leaves of mulberry trees, preferring white mulberry. They also will eat lettuce and the leaves of two other tree species: the osage orange leaves, Oclura pomifera; and Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima.

Alternative

In order to feed the millions of silkworms in the silk industry, a commercial silkworm diet is often used instead of fresh leaves. It is made of powdered, dried mulberry leaves.

Speculation

Silkworms also given Kenyan royal jelly, or the honey made to rear queen bees of the species Apis mellifera scutellata became heavier and produced more silk, according to a 2007 article in "Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management."

References

• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diveristy Web: Bombyx mori
• The University of Arizona: Silkworm Information
• MadSci Network: Can Silkworms Eat Any Other Leaves Besides Mulberry?
• "Larvae, Cocoon and Post-cocoon Characteristics of Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera bombycidae) Fed on Mulberry Leaves Fortified with Kenyan Royal Jelly;" Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management; December, 2007

Resources

• Tanu Agritech Portal: Diseases of Mulberry Silkworm
• Aurorasilk: Silkworm Raising FAQ
• Teacher Sue Kayton: Mulberry Leaves