Band 8+: The diagrams below show the life cycle of the silkworm and the stages in the production of silk cloth. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. » Write at least 150 words.

The diagram illustrates the various stages involved in the life cycle of the silkworm.

Overall, it is discernible from the chart that the life cycle of a silkworm completes in about 8-10 weeks, consisting of 4 main stages.

In the first stage of a silkworm’s life cycle, a female moth spawns eggs on leaves, before the eggs hatch into silkworm larvae after 10 days. For 4 to 6 weeks, these silkworm larvae feed on mulberry leaves to grow bigger. In the third stage, the larvae produce silk threads and wrap themselves around it.

Once the silkworms have spun their cocoons using the silk threads, which is a process that usually lasts from 3 to 8 days, they will enclose themselves inside the cocoons for 16 days. Finally, the moths break out of their cocoons. After mating, the female ones lay eggs on leaves and this is when the cycle begins all over again.