These are silkworms feeding on mulberry leaves. Raising them to produce silk is called sericulture. Since silkworms eat only mulberry leaves, growing healthy trees is essential. Farmers collect their eggs, and when they hatch, the larvae are placed in trays and fed finely chopped leaves. The worms grow fast, shedding skin four times in a month. Once mature, they stop eating and spin cocoons by secreting silk from their glands. These cocoons are then collected, marking the first step in making va