Eri Silk Cocoons

Eri silk Cocoons. Eri silkworms (larva stage) will turn yellow and will stop eating to start the spinning process. The silkworm will be very mobile and will try to move to a dry, dark area in the room in order to spin. The silk cocoon serves as protection for the pupa. Cocoons are shades of white, cream and yellow depending on silkworm genetics. After a final molt inside the cocoon, the larva develops into the brown, chitin covered structure called the pupa. Metamorphic changes of the pupa result in an emerging moth. The spinning process will last from five to six days and a silk cocoon will be formed. The cocoon in the picture was left under the sun for three days to kill the pupa inside it.

My job at Project Concern International is to develop a value chain analysis of sericulture in Ethiopia. I am enjoying my job very much because is related to agriculture and specially marketing.