Bombyx


Bombyx is the genus of true silk moths or mulberry silk moths of the family Bombycidae, also known as silkworms, which are the larvae or caterpillars of silk moths. The genus was erected as a subgenus by Carl Linnaeus in his 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

Etymology

The word bombyx comes from Ancient Greek βόμβυξ, which means "silk-worm" or "silk garment".

Species

Bombyx horsfieldi Bombyx huttoni Westwood, 1847Bombyx incomposita van Eecke, 1929Bombyx lemeepauli Lemée, 1950Bombyx mandarinawild silk mothBombyx moridomestic silk mothBombyx rotundapex Miyata & Kishida, 1990Bombyx shini Park and Sohn, 2002

Hybrids

Two instances of semi-natural hybridisation are known within this genus:

Food

The caterpillars feed on Moraceae, especially on mulberries. Domestic silkworms may be fed artificial mulberry chow.