Bombyx

Bombyx is the genus of true silkmoths or mulberry silkmoths of the family Bombycidae, also known as silkworms, which are the larvae or caterpillars of silkmoths. The genus was erected by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. For a few thousand years, only two species were recognized, but several other species have since been discovered. The genus also contains two tested hybrid species, a semi-natural cross between a male Bombyx mandarina and a female Bombyx mori, and another hybrid from the other way around. The caterpillars feed on Moraceae, especially on mulberries (Morus species). Domestic silkworms may be fed artificial mulberry chow.