SILK

Silk is continuous protein filament extruded by silk worm. It possesses all the desirable properties of a
textile fibre. It is solidified protein produced by certain caterpillars which will encase themselves in the
form of cocoon. Silk is a natural fiber.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SILK

The silk industry can be mainly classified into mulberry and non-mulberry. The non-mulberry silk
industry consists of TASSAR, ERI and MUGA silks. Out of these four varieties the mulberry silk industry
accounts for 80% of nations total production.

SILK PRODUCING COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

Major silk producing countries in the world today are: Japan, China, Soviet Union, India, Italy, South
Korea, Turkey, Iran, Brazil, Spain, France, Sicily, Syria and Austria.

SERICULTURE - LIFE CYCLE OF SILK WORM

There are four stages in the life cycle of a silk worm:
1. Egg
2. Caterpillar
3. Chrysalis or Pupa
4. Moth