Silkworm

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Humans have bred silkworms for over 5,000 years, selecting individuals that produced larger cocoons and more silk. Over time, this artificial selection changed the species, creating the domesticated silkworm we know today.

6. Major Events in Silkworm Evolution

~4.0 BYA LUCA

~2.1 BYA Eukaryotic cells evolve

~600 MYA Animals appear

~540 MYA Cambrian Explosion

~400 MYA Arthropods become widespread

~300–200 MYA Insects diversify

~200 MYA Moths evolve

~5,000 YA Silkworm domestication begins in China

~Today Bombyx mori depends on humans

The silkworm's history stretches from the earliest life on Earth to one of the most domesticated species alive today.

7. Why the Silkworm Matters

The silkworm is a unique example of both natural evolution and human-guided evolution. From the origin of life to modern domestication, its story shows how species can change through both natural selection and artificial selection. Today, Bombyx mori remains one of the clearest examples of humans shaping the evolution of another organism.

13. The Big Picture: What the Silkworm Teaches Us About Evolution

The silkworm is more than just an insect that produces silk. Its story connects many of the major concepts of evolutionary biology. From the origin of life and the evolution of animals to genetic variation, natural selection, artificial selection, and co-evolution with humans, the silkworm demonstrates how species change over time.

Wild silkmoths evolved through natural selection, while domesticated silkworms were further shaped by thousands of years of human selection. This relationship benefited both species and created one of the clearest examples of humans influencing the evolution of another organism.

By studying the silkworm, we can better understand how evolutionary processes shape life on Earth and how all living things are connected through a shared evolutionary history.

References

EBSCO Information Services. (n.d.). Sericulture (silk farming). EBSCO Research Starters. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/agriculture-and-agribusiness/sericulture-silk-farming

Goldsmith, M. R., Shimada, T., & Abe, H. (2010). The genetics and genomics of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Annual Review of Entomology, 50, 71–100. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3016963/

Xia, Q., Guo, Y., Zhang, Z., Li, D., Xuan, Z., Li, Z., Dai, F., Li, Y., Cheng, D., Li, R., Cheng, T., Fu, J., Liu, C., Xu, Z., Cheng, D., Zhao, P., Liu,S., Wang, B., Feng, G., ... Wang, J. (2009). Complete resequencing of 40 genomes reveals domestication events and genes in silkworm (Bombyx mori). Science, 326(5951), 433–436.

Xia, Q., Zhou, Z., Lu, C., Cheng, D., Dai, F., Li, B., Zhao, P., Zha, X., Cheng, T., Chai, C., Pan, G., Xu, J., Liu, C., Lin, Y., Qian, J., Hou, Y., Wu, Z., Li, G., Pan, M., ... Xiang, Z. (2004). A draft sequence for the genome of the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori). Science, 306(5703), 1937–1940.

Xiang, Z. (2012). Advances in silkworm studies accelerated by the genome sequencing of Bombyx mori. Science China Life Sciences, 55(6), 483–484. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11427-012-4334-7

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