The diagram demonstrates the cyclical process of life of the silkworms.
It can be noticed that it consists of twelve steps, starting with a cocoon and ending with the ripe silkworm spinning silk filament. It can be divided into four stages: cocoon development, mating production, eggs hatching, and moulting.
The step to be considered first is a cocoon shell, which then is cut open. After 10-12 days, an unfolding from the cocoon appears. Then, the unfolded emergence finds a species to mate with, which results in one of them to lay eggs. The eggs start to develop, which takes about two weeks.
The second half of all steps occurs with a hatching of an egg, which lasts for 3 or 4 days. It is followed by a small worm hatched. The worm starts to grow and increase in its size, using moulting. In addition, it changes its colour and to a lighter one every 3-4 days. Subsequently, when a week has passed, it is about twice bigger and lighter in its colour. 5 days later, the worm is ready for the final moult. Finally, one more week later, there is a ripe silkworm, which spins silk filament, and, consequently, the process repeats.