The cocoon

📖 In short

A cocoon is a case a caterpillar makes around itself when it's fully grown, to shelter inside while it changes into an adult insect. Moths and many other insects make cocoons, and some are made of fine silk threads.

🤩 Did you know?

The silk thread of one cocoon can be more than 900 meters long.
The Chinese discovered how to make silk thousands of years ago.
Butterflies usually don't make silk cocoons; they change inside a hard case called a chrysalis.
The cocoon protects the insect from cold, rain and enemies.

🔎 Find out more

🌟 A temporary home

Inside the cocoon the insect seems still, but a huge change is happening inside: the caterpillar's parts disappear, and new wings, legs and antennae form.

🔍 How is a cocoon made?

The caterpillar makes a very fine thread from its mouth and wraps it many times around its body until it has a strong case. Some caterpillars mix the thread with leaves, hair or soil.

💡 The silkworm's cocoon

The most famous cocoon is the silkworm's, because its thread is silk! The thread of a single cocoon unwinds to hundreds of meters, and is then woven into shiny, soft cloth.

🎯 Time to come out

When the change is complete, the insect splits the cocoon and climbs out with wet, crumpled wings, waits a little for them to dry and spread, then flies away.