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Posted in Caterpillars Garden Worms Silk Worms

Three of the Most Breathtaking Caterpillars (Part 2)

“When you think of worms and worm-like creatures, maybe the word ‘beautiful’ isn’t the first word that comes to mind” is how we introduced our first article on this very same topic. However, and we hope, that after having read the first article, this statement may no longer rings true for our readers. This article will address three more stunning caterpillars in a further attempt to expose people to the aesthetic wonders of the world of caterpillars!

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Posted in Caterpillars Interesting Worms Silk Worms

The Magic and Tragedy of Silkworms: Thousands Killed for Each Foot of Silk

Silk is one of finest materials we have; its smooth, lavish fabric and considerable price make it a luxury item. However, the process of actually obtaining this silk comes at the expense of its creator, the silkworm. This article will briefly explore silkworms, what they are and how they work, and their exploitation in the fashion industry.

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Posted in Caterpillars Silk Worms Worms Generally

Bright Yellow-Green Caterpillar on Driveway is a Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar

A “little critter” was found on this reader’s driveway last summer in her small North Texas town. The critter appears to be a bright green color and has a brown face, split down the middle by what we assume to be access to its mouth.

Worm Frass
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Posted in Caterpillars Garden Worms Silk Worms Worm Castings

Using Eri Silk Frass as a Soil Fertilizer

A reader recently reached out to us with this question, “What is the best way to prepare eri silk frass to become a soil fertilizer for food crops?” Let’s dive in by breaking down this question!

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Posted in Garden Worms Inch Worms Interesting Worms Silk Worms

“Silk Cream White Worms” May be Inchworms

A man recently wrote to us wondering why he finds “silk cream white worms” in his yard and room after it rains. He did not include any other information or photographs.

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Posted in Interesting Worms Silk Worms

Worm with a sand-like shell

A reader recently inquired about a worm he has come across frequently while living in Hawaii for the last 3 years. He describes them as being small and flat, with a sand-like shell that they pop their heads out of.

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Posted in Silk Worms

Silk Worm Farm

It is estimated that approximately 75 million pounds of raw silk are produced each year on silkworm farms. It takes more than 3,000 cocoons to make one pound of silk and more than 10 billion pounds of mulberry leaves to feed the silkworms that produce the silk.

Posted in Inch Worms Silk Worms

Do Inchworms Produce Silk?

Some inchworms can produce thin, delicate lines of silk. One of the most well-known type of silk producing worm is the cankerworm.

Posted in Silk Worms

What is Peace Silk?

The degumming and spinning process used to create peace silk allows the moth to safely emerge from the cocoon and live out the remainder of its life cycle — in peace.

Posted in Interesting Worms Silk Worms

How Much Silk Do Silkworms Produce?

The silk is produced in the salivary glands of the silkworm and it is used for protection during the silkworm’s pupal stage.

Posted in Caterpillars Earthworms Silk Worms

Do Caterpillars and Worms Eat the Same Things?

Worms and caterpillars have strong appetites. Worms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours. Some caterpillars have earned the name “pest” because in high enough numbers they can eat through entire fields of plants and flowers, killing the plants in the process.

Posted in Silk Worms

Can Silk Worms Live in Pets?

If you do find live silk worms in your pet’s food, it is never a bad idea to contact your vet to make sure this is harmless. Chances are, it is and your pet will pass the worms through his stool.

Posted in Earthworms Silk Worms

Silk Worm

Because the silk worm is so precious, it is no longer found in nature. In fact, the silk worm is totally dependent on humans for reproduction.

Posted in Interesting Worms Pest Worms Silk Worms

Tent Worms

Tent worms are classified in the phylum Arthropoda class Insecta, order Lepidoptera, superfamily Bombycoidea, and family Lasiocampidae. Also called “tent…

Posted in Silk Worms

Silkworms: Can You Stop Them From Spinning Silk?

The only time that silkworms do not produce silk is during the early life stages of this unique creature. Once…

Posted in Gross Worms Interesting Worms Silk Worms

Worms in Clothes

If you have ever unpacked a storage bin or chest filled with clothes only to find a bunch of holes…

Posted in Interesting Worms Silk Worms

The Silkmoth

A silkworm is the larvae of the silkworm moth. The silkworm moth is also called “Cecropia Moth” and it is…

Posted in Interesting Worms Silk Worms

Silkworms

Silkworms are one of the most important types of worms in the world today. Silk worms are not significant because they have any major effect on the environment or crops, they are significant because they produce one of the world’s most precious commodities – silk. Because of this, silkworms are no longer found in nature. They are totally dependent on humans for reproduction.

Posted in Composting Worms Gross Worms Interesting Worms Meal Worms Silk Worms

Wax Worms Effect on Human Skin

According to the Cornell Waste Management Institute of the famed Cornell University, worms do not bite. In fact, in nature wax worms do not feed on anything but pollen, honey, cocoons, and beeswax. Wax worm breeders have no problems feeding their inventory of wax worms without the help of pollen and cocoons. These squirmy little creatures can also survive off of an artificial diet of a mixture of dog food, water, and honey or a mixture of Gerber’s mixed cereal, glycerin, honey, and water.

Posted in Silk Worms

Silk Worms

Silk worms are really not worms at all! Silk worms are actually the larvae of certain types of moths! The silk worm has been used for centuries in the manufacturing of textiles.