Silkworm word meaning and definition

[noun] hairless white caterpillar of the Chinese silkworm moth; source of most commercial silk
[noun] larva of a saturniid moth; spins a large amount of strong silk in constructing its cocoon

\Silk"worm`\, n. [AS. seolcwyrm.] (Zo["o]l.) The larva of any one of numerous species of bombycid moths, which spins a large amount of strong silk in constructing its cocoon before changing to a pupa. Note: The common species ({Bombyx mori}) feeds on the leaves of the white mulberry tree. It is native of China, but has long been introduced into other countries of Asia and Europe, and is reared on a large scale. In America it is reared only to small extent. The Ailanthus silkworm ({Philosamia cynthia}) is a much larger species, of considerable importance, which has been introduced into Europe and America from China. The most useful American species is the Polyphemus. See {Polyphemus}. {Pernyi silkworm}, the larva of the Pernyi moth. See {Pernyi moth}. {Silkworm gut}, a substance prepared from the contents of the silk glands of silkworms and used in making lines for angling. See {Gut}. {Silkworm rot}, a disease of silkworms; muscardine.

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