Picture of some of the cocoons

I've been getting my rewards for my hard work. I have 130 cocoons right now. That number can change at any time. They are changing constantly. I have 24 that I am keeping back to hatch and get a 'start' for the next batch. They have to be in the refrigerator (wintering) for at least 3 months but can be there for a year. I still want to try some of the China Bombyx silkmoths. I might order some and do it now. They will be small while I am finishing these - and the mulberry trees are budding. It will make it easier to feed them.

The cocoons range from a soft yellow to a deep golden. I watched a woman reeling the silk on Youtube. She had the golden yellow. The silk was fantastic.

Finally - An update

I've been involved in a Valentine dinner and then started feeling bad. I think it is a sinus infection instead of this flu that everyone has around here. BUT....

I have a cocoon!!! It is rather dark. I have a bright light and a white piece of paper towel under it but it still looks dark. It was even worse without the paper towel. It isn't completed yet. I can still see him/her when she is working on the top of the cocoon. It should be completed in the next day or two.

I don't have any more starting yet. I'd let this one hatch if I could have a mate for him/her.