The diagram illustrates the different phases in the life cycle of the silkworm and the complete method in which silk cloth is produced.
Overall, the biological cycle of silkworm contains four distinct stages, which start with the laying of eggs on mulberry leaves and ends with the maturation of the cocoons into moths. Similarly, silk cloth can be produced in a method having four steps.
In the first process, matured moth lays eggs on the mulberry leaves, which emerge as silkworm larva after ten days. Consuming these leaves for four to six weeks, the larva has a silk thread developed around the body, which becomes cocoon after three to eight days. Eventually, a well-functioning moth is formed in sixteen days, restarting the cycle.
In the second procedure, silk cloth is produced out of cocoon. Selected cocoons are boiled in water and then unwinded to form elongated threads ranging from 300 to 900 metres. The resulting threads are twisted and either dyed or weaved into a piece of fabric, which is finally dyed to reach the final product.