Silkworm Mating

[tradershez]

Hi there,

I have another question about silkworm mating.

My next female hatched a few days ago...within a few seconds the male found her and started mating. They just haven't come apart, and it is now 48 hours. So I encouraged them to part...gently, but the female looks like she is dying and I am not confident of her laying any eggs.

She pretty much looked shriveled within the first 24 hours of hatching and mating so quickly. Did the male go in too quickly? Why was she looking like this from Day 1 of hatching?

What are my chances she will even lay eggs?

Thank you
Tradershez

 

[lainezor]

They should stay together for a long time, 48 hours is actually not long. Don't take them apart, ever. The mating could last up to 6 days stuck together, this is perfectly normal and expected.