How to Cut Silkworms

Silkworm cultivation started in China more than 5,000 years ago. Now, they are cultivated throughout the world. The cocoons of silkworms are boiled to produce the coveted material, silk. If you cut silkworms before they make their cocoons, you can extract a large amount of silk from their silk glands. Dissection speeds up the process of gathering. Make silk thread from home by cutting silkworms.

Things You'll Need

  • Table salt
  • Vinegar
  • Spoon
  • Glass container
  • Plastic plate
  • Utility knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pour 5 tbsp. of table salt and 3 cups of vinegar into a glass container. Stir the solution with a spoon. The salt should completely dissolve in the vinegar, making a clear solution. Add more vinegar if any salt is not dissolved.

    • 2

      Place a silkworm in the vinegar and salt solution. A silkworm near the cocoon-making stage provides more silk. Let the silkworm absorb the solution for five hours.

    • 3

      Remove the silkworm from the solution. Place the silkworm on a plastic plate.

    • 4

      Cut the silkworm on the back using a utility knife. The incision should be directly behind the head of the silkworm.

    • 5

      Extract the silk glands from the silkworm. The two silk glands will push out of the body. They look like clear sacs of glue.

    • 6

      Pull at one end of the silk gland. The silk from the gland turns into a white strand of silk. Continue to pull until all the silk is extracted.