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 (1758).

Etymology

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

Species

• Bombyx horsfieldi <small>(Moore, 1860)</small>
• Bombyx huttoni <small>Westwood, 1847</small>
• Bombyx incomposita <small>van Eecke, 1929</small>
• Bombyx lemeepauli <small>Lemée, 1950</small>
• Bombyx mandarina <small>(Moore, 1872)</small> – wild silk moth
• Bombyx mori <small>(Linnaeus, 1758)</small> – domestic silk moth
• Bombyx rotundapex <small>Miyata & Kishida, 1990</small>
• Bombyx shini <small>Park and Sohn, 2002</small>

Hybrids

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

• Bombyx hybrid, a hybrid between a male B. mandarina and a female B. mori
• Bombyx second hybrid, a hybrid between a male B. mori and a female B. mandarina

Food

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

References