Although many species of wild silkworms produce wild silk, the two most common are Antheraea mylitta and Antheraea pernyi . The silkworms feed on oak and cherry leaves and produce fibers that are much less uniform in texture and color. The fiber may be brown, yellow, orange, or green, with brown the most common color. Current research is investigating the feasibility of producing fabrics of these naturally colored silks. Since the cocoons are harvested after the moth has matured, the silk cannot be reeled and must be used as spun silk.
Tussah silk is the most common type of wild silk.
It is coarser, darker, and cannot be bleached. Hence, white and light colors are not available in tussah silk. Tasar is a type of wild silk from India. Some fabrics are sold simply as wild silk. Duppioni silk results when two silkworms spin their cocoons together.