Bombyx

Bombyx
Bombyx mori, the silk moth.
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Bombycidae
Subfamily:	Bombycinae
Genus:	Bombyx Linnaeus, 1758[1]
Type species
Phalaena mori[2] Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Theophila Moore, 1862

Bombyx is the genus of true silk moths or mulberry silk moths of the family Bombycidae, also known as silkworms, which are the larvae or caterpillars of silk moths. The genus was erected as a subgenus[2] by Carl Linnaeus in his 10th edition of Systema Naturae (1758).

Etymology

The word bombyx comes from Ancient Greek βόμβυξ, which means "silk-worm" or "silk garment".[3]

Species

• Bombyx horsfieldi (Moore, 1860)
• Bombyx huttoni Westwood, 1847
• Bombyx incomposita van Eecke, 1929
• Bombyx lemeepauli Lemée, 1950
• Bombyx mandarina (Moore, 1872) – wild silk moth
• Bombyx mori (Linnaeus, 1758) – domestic silk moth
• Bombyx rotundapex Miyata & Kishida, 1990
• Bombyx shini Park and Sohn, 2002

Hybrids

Two instances of semi-natural hybridisation are known within this genus:^[citation needed]

• Bombyx hybrid, a hybrid between a male B. mandarina and a female B. mori
• Bombyx second hybrid, a hybrid between a male B. mori and a female B. mandarina

Food

The caterpillars feed on Moraceae, especially on mulberries (Morus species).[4] Domestic silkworms may be fed artificial mulberry chow.

References

1. Pitkin, Brian & Jenkins, Paul (November 5, 2004). "Bombyx Linnaeus, 1758". Butterflies and Moths of the World. Natural History Museum, London. doi:10.5519/s93616qw. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
2. ICZN (1957). "Opinion 450. Suppression under the Plenary Powers of the generic name Phalaena Linnaeus, 1758, and validation as of subgeneric status (a) as from 1758, of the Terms Bombyx, Noctua, Geometra, Tortrix, Pyralis, Tinea, and Alucita as used by Linnaeus for Groups of species of the genus Phalaena and (b) as from 1767 of the term Attacus similarly published by Linnaeus and matters incidental thereto (Class Insecta, Order Lepidoptera)". Opinions and Declarations Rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. 15 (15): 254.
3. [1]
4. K. Thangavelu (2003). "Conservation status of silkworm genetic resources in India". In Kee-Wook Sohn (ed.). Conservation Status of Sericulture Germplasm Resources in the World - II. Conservation Status of Silkworm (Bombyx mori) Genetic Resources in the World. Food and Agriculture Organization.