Cocoon

The cocoon is the protective covering around the pupae or chrysalis of some insects - especially moths. The cocoon is usually made from silk secreted and woven by the caterpillar/larvae before it pupates inside.

Silk is arguably the most well known product from insects. Silk comes from the cocoon of silk moths. The silk is unwound from the cocoons and then woven into threads.

A male silkworm moth (Bombyx mori) and two cocoons

Related terms

• Caterpillar
• Chrysalis
• Complete metamorphosis
• Eclosion
• Pharate
• Pupa
• Silk
• Silkmoth
• Spinneret

Related groups of terms

• Insect life cycles

Related pages on this web site

• Butterflies and Moths - Order Lepidoptera
• Insect life cycles
• Moon Moth caresheet
• Silk

See other words beginning with C