The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-09
AN AMERICAN SILK WORM.
POlyphemus Moth Spins Cocoon in
Every Way Perfect.

-
Z. A. Samuels, In National Magazine.
An American silk worm? Why not? We
have ten or more native species all of which
produce fiber of delicate texture and
beautiful iusrer, but unfortunately the
cocoons are for various reasons Of small
commercial value.
For example, the caterpillar of the great
Ceropia moth, one of the largest and hand
soonest of all varieties, spins cocoon which
is open at one end, which opening pre-
vents the Keeling of a perfect thread. The
our rambes thronrh We hs Woade mha In
cocoon that is too frail and weak to be of
much value to the silk culturist.
But we have one native species, the Poly
phemuS moth, whose larva spins a large,
dense cocoon, which Is in every way per-
feet, its fiber being very strong and glossy.
six inches across its expanded wings and
is much more common in our oak woods
than most people imagine. Its color is a dull
ochre-yellowish, clouded somewhat with
black in the middle of the wings.
The margin of the wings has a gray
stripe. and near their hinder margin is
dusky band edged with reddish white. On
each side of the wings is transparent
eye-like spot, surrounded by black and
yellow rings, and also blue spot which
This moth has been reared in large num-
bers in captivity. and the silk obtained from
Its coeoons has been woven into some of the
The value of this species as a silk pro-
Queer was discovered in 1860 by an enthusi-
astic naturalist named Trouvellot. After a
number of years of unsuccessful effort he
obtained enough cocoons to enable him to
establish their value, and he then proceeded
TO start silkworm-rearing plant in Med
ford, Mass. He was so successful that in
1865 he had probably over million of them
feeding on five acres Of scrub or brush
wn tSe T n Netting b
birds. A visit to Trouvellot's establish
ment impressed one with the magnitude Of
the work that was in progress and the pa
tient industry OF the ardent Frenchman.
The polyphemus moths are different in
their habits from the mulberry-feeding
about the 10Th of May until July; they i'm
mediately pair and the female proceeds 10
lay her eggs. These are about three hun
dred in number and are scattered here and
there on the under side of oak leaves and
The caterpillar is Matched in ten or twelve
days, and Ii soon begins to feed. When
first Matched the worm Is, OF course, very
small, but Ii eats voraciously and grows
with astonishing rapidly and is fully
grown when about fifty-six days from the
Mr.. Trouvellot kept accurate memoranda
concerning the diet of these worms, and he
found that they ate on an average not less
than one hundred and twenty oak leaves,
weighing three-fourths of a pound, and
drank not less than one-half an ounce Of
water.
During the ffty-six days of its cater
pillar life the worm mouths or changes its
skin five times, its dimensions increasing at
each moult. until finally IL attains length
OF about three inches. slightly larger than
the Chinese species.
Having attained its fun size II next spins
a cocoon. The silk of which the cocoon Is
made exudes from tubelike organ attached
TO the mouth; il issues In two streams, from
the reservoir on each side of the body. which
are united in one thread. As 1t first flows
| IL is in the form Of a sticky fluid. which
| hardens when 1t is exposed TO the air.
This caterpillar is different from the ordi-
nary silk worm insomuch as IL Is independ-
| ent and can take care or itself. II very
| skillfully draws two leaves together by
| throwing the silk around the edges. and by
shortening the strands the patient worker
| brings them into the desired rolled-up posi-
| ton for the reception OF the cocoon. In
making this the worm moves Its head about
| IL different directions. and these movements
| according to Mr.. Trouvellot number 254, 600
| There Is no doubt that the cocoons OF this
| moth may probably be raised, the abuD-
dance and general diffusion of food upon
which the worm feeds being an important
factor in the economic culture of the insect
The Chinese silk worm requires for food
| the leaves of the mulberry tree. and the
/ to those who have mulberry plantations. but
| as before stated this objection does not
is an unlimited supply of its favorite food
| always available.
| Other silk growers than Trouvellot sue
Gnbrs IN eaptiy th and the silk they pre
| duced was of the best quality.
In view. therefore, OF the fact that the
use ia almost entirely OF foreign growth, ii
/ would seem that. possessing as We do a ma.
| tive silk worm which spins abundantly g
i thread OF most desirable texture, a worn
| tat Is hardy and healthy, one that can bs
/ reared and fed at a minimum OF cost: W.
ought TO develop a profitable industry In IL:
culture. which would give lucrative employ
Thai adanted to this kind of business