Question

The life cycle of the mulberry silkworm is completed within …………..
A. 20 days
B. 30 days
C. 35 days
D. 45 days

Answer 1

Hint: The complete life cycle of silkworm completes in 6-8 weeks. Several factors affect its life cycles such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to the sunlight.

Complete answer: Bombyx mori is commonly known as a mulberry silkworm. It is used for the production of raw silk.
1. The mulberry silkworm is dioecious i.e. sexes are separate.
2. Internal fertilization is followed by the copulation.
3. Their development occurs through the process of metamorphosis.
4. After fertilization, the female lays about 300-400 eggs on the mulberry leaves.
5. The eggs hatch after 10-12 days and the larva are known as a caterpillar.
6. The caterpillar body is distinguished into the head, segmented thorax, and elongated abdomen.
7. It feeds voraciously on mulberry leaves for about 2-3 weeks.
8. During this period larva molts about four times.
9. A fully grown larva has sac-like silk glands on either side of its body.
10. The fully-grown larva stops feeding and forms a cocoon.
11. The adult moth emerges out of the cocoon after 2-3 weeks.
12. The whole life cycle takes about 45-55 days.

Hence, the correct option is D 45 days.

Note: The life cycle of the mulberry moth starts when the female moth lays eggs, followed by the hatching of eggs, larval development, cocoon formation, and finally emerging of the adult moth. This process takes about 45-50 days.