What is the difference between a silkworm and a caterpillar?

The word 'caterpillar' is applied to the larval stages of all species in the insect order Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). “Silkworms” are the caterpillars of a particular species of moth: namely Bombyx mori. read more

caterpillar | silkworm | As nouns the difference between caterpillar and silkworm is that caterpillar is the larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm while silkworm is any of various caterpillars of moths that produce silk cocoons, especially bombyx mori , the source of most commercial silk. read more

As nouns the difference between silkworms and caterpillar is that silkworms is while caterpillar is the larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm. read more

As nouns the difference between caterpillar and silkworm is that caterpillar is the larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm while silkworm is any of various caterpillars of moths that produce silk cocoons, especially bombyx mori , the source of most commercial silk. read more

A silkworm is actually a caterpillar, not a worm. There cocoons are made from silk. That is how they make the silk, they actually boil the cocoons with the 'worm' still inside and then through unthreading the cocoons they start the process of making silk that you can use. Unfortunately the caterpillars die as they are 'cooked' alive. read more