Polarized Light Microscopy Digital Image Gallery

Bombyx mori Reeled Silk Fiber

The larvae of several moth species belonging to the genus Bombyx produce the vast majority of commercial silk, and the most celebrated of these is the Bombyx mori, which creates the finest fiber. This common silkworm primarily feeds upon the leaves of the mulberry tree and has been so altered by its long history of domestication that it can no longer survive in the wild. The silk it produces is notorious for its whiteness and consistent level of high quality. In contrast, other varieties of silkworms, which have a more varied diet than the Bombyx mori, typically produce thicker fibers in shades of tan, gray, brown, or red.


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