Wild Silk

Silk is a beautiful, lightweight, fine material that drapes beautifully, and it is literally made from cocoons. Most silk is obtained from cocoons by the larvae of the Bombyx mori silkworm. They are most commonly raised in captivity so the silk may be used in fabric. Some people consider silk sustainable because these silkworms are fed mulberry leaves that can be harvested easily. However, commercially-raised silkworms are killed before the adult moths can emerge and make a hole in the silk cocoon, and thousands of silkworms are killed (typically boiled or baked) to make only one pound of silk.Wild silks from other varieties of silkworms are not artificially cultivated like the Bombyx mori, and the silkworms are allowed to live in the process of harvesting the silk. Wild silk fiber is produced in India and in South America.