The Silkworm Moth is entirely dependent on humans for its care and is therefore the only entirely domesticated insect in existence. It is the largest single producer of silk in the world and has been cultivated for over 5,000 years.

Over its several thousand years of development, the silkworm moth has morphed into an insect with wings too small to fly, immobile as caterpillars and almost no mouthparts as a mature adult. As pupae, however, the moth spins a cocoon of one long strand of silk, about 300-900 meters long, which makes the insects invaluable to humans. After spinning the cocoon, the pupae is usually killed and often eaten, as it has 150% more protein and 16 times more iron then beef. It takes about 25,000 cocoons to produce one pound of silk. Silkworm Moth caterpillars feed solely on Mulberry leaves, which must be specially cultivated. Because the caterpillar is incapable of much movement, they must be placed on their food source. Silkworm Moths hatch from a tiny black egg. As larvae, they feed almost constantly for about five weeks. When it reaches 2 inches in length, it spins its cocoon. In about three weeks, the moth emerges. Because the moth cannot fly and has almost no mouthparts, it cannot feed. It reproduces and dies in about five days.

Silkworm Moth caterpillars are shades of tan. They have a horn on the tail and brown marks on the thorax. The pupae range in color from white to yellow, depending on the breed and diet. The adult moths are tan with light brown lines. They have a wingspan of about four centimeters.

Because the secret of making silk was so carefully guarded, it was a crime to take Silkworm Moths or their eggs out of ancient China. The silk trade resulted in one of the longest roads in the world, the Silk Route which opened in 126 BC and is 6,000 miles long. It is unknown exactly how the moths became common around the world. There are many tales told about how they left China. Although Silkworm Moths are now known around the world, they are still most common in China and Japan. Silk is valued not only because of its beauty but also because of its strength and versatility. One story tells of a man in the 1800s whose life was saved because of a piece of silk, which stopped his bleeding from a gunshot wound.

After adult females lay their eggs, the eggs can be refrigerated and hatched at any time. The moths require a significant amount of care, as they are completely dependent of humans.

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