i have my first cacoon

[sunnyvale22]

...but i forgot to save two silk worms on top of that i don't know how to tell what worms are male. or at least i thought they had sexes. how can i tell? i'm still super new to this but it's such a fun hobby.

 

[hammerhead]

From what I've read you can't tell till they become moths. I think the female moths are much larger (I'll check again and update). I've got about 300 silkworms that will cocoon in about 2 weeks. My first time trying this, so far so good. I started with eggs, they are now 2 inches long.

 

[sunnyvale22]

how long till it is a moth?

 

[hammerhead]

One week to 10 days. After the moths mate, the female lays eggs and they die.

 

[sunnyvale22]

cool - i can't wait

 

[hammerhead]

http://www.acornnaturalists.com/store/images/SilkwormCare2.pdf Here's some more info. How large were your worms when they cocooned? What did they cocoon on. I need to set something up for them to spin on, right now they a just in plastic containers. I read paper towel rolls work, I got about a week to set something up.

 

[dawnki]

the female moths have very large abdomens and are larger in size. mulberry branches make perfect places for them to spin their cocoons.

my worms always got to be around 2 1/2 inches to 3 1/4 right before cocooning. the worms will also emit a good size 'poop' prior to cocooning.

 

[hammerhead]

Thanks dawnki, I'm trying to make a setup now. (My kids have other plans for me) What happens if there is nothing to for them to use?

 

[hammerhead]

I just found a great website, step by step with good pics....http://www.wormspit.com/bombyxsilkworms.htm

 

[hammerhead]

http://www.wormspit.com/bombyxsilkworms.htm lets try again

 

[sunnyvale22]

wow this helps a ton. i was thinking of spinning cacoons later on once i have room