Fun Fact: From Silkworms to Your Morning Cup
Silkworms are the picky eaters of the insect world. These little guys, known scientifically as Bombyx mori, have been around humans for thousands of years, and over time they’ve become very set in their ways. When it comes to food, they’ve got a clear favorite—and they aren’t shy about it.
The Silkworm’s All-Time Favorite Dish
Imagine a fine dining restaurant with only one item on the menu. For domesticated silkworms, that item is white mulberry leaves (Morus alba).
They’ve been munching on these leaves for so long that they’ve practically evolved to need them. Offer them something else, and most will give you a look (well, as much of a look as a worm can) and refuse to eat.
White mulberry leaves aren’t just a preference—they’re the perfect mix of nutrients, especially proteins and sugars, that silkworms need to grow and spin high-quality silk.
Second Choices (If They’re Feeling Adventurous)
Silkworms can nibble on other types of mulberry leaves—like black mulberry (Morus nigra), red mulberry (Morus rubra), or even hybrids.
But here’s the catch:
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They’ll eat them reluctantly, like a kid staring down a plate of broccoli.
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They tend to grow slower.
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The silk they produce is usually not as strong or shiny.
Basically, it’s like feeding a marathon runner on junk food—technically possible, but you won’t get top performance.
Absolutely Not on the Menu
There are other silk-producing moths out there that aren’t so picky.
For instance, wild silk moths like tussar moths (Antheraea species) happily munch on oak, castor bean plants, or jamun leaves.
But our domesticated silkworms? Forget it.
Offer them an oak leaf, and they’ll act like you just handed them cardboard. They either won’t eat it or they’ll wither away trying.
The Bottom Line
If you want healthy silkworms and beautiful, high-quality silk, white mulberry leaves are non-negotiable.
Other mulberry species might work in an emergency, but you’ll be sacrificing both survival rates and silk quality. Anything outside the mulberry family? Total disaster.
In short: silkworms are creatures of habit, and their habit is a lifelong love affair with Morus alba. Feed them right, and they’ll spin you silk fit for a king—or at least a very fancy bathrobe.
