Note: The common species ({Bombyx mori}) feeds on the leaves
of the white mulberry tree. It is native of China, but
has long been introduced into other countries of Asia
and Europe, and is reared on a large scale. In America
it is reared only to small extent. The Ailanthus
silkworm ({Philosamia cynthia}) is a much larger
species, of considerable importance, which has been
introduced into Europe and America from China. The most
useful American species is the Polyphemus. See
{Polyphemus}.
{Pernyi silkworm}, the larva of the Pernyi moth. See {Pernyi
moth}.
{Silkworm gut}, a substance prepared from the contents of the
silk glands of silkworms and used in making lines for
angling. See {Gut}.
{Silkworm rot}, a disease of silkworms; muscardine.