Frequently Asked Questions

Does SEPALIM collect silk cocoons by boiling live pupae?  No.  SEPALIM harvests cocoons spun by wild silk worms  by collecting them after the adult has emerged or by removing moth pupae and protecting them until they can emerge as adults, mate and hence reproduce. Wild cocoon silk textiles and products are called "Peace silk" as well as "vegan" silk.

However, to increase the volume of cocoons that the team is able to work with, SEPALIM also purchases agriculturally produced cocoons spun by the domesticated silk worm Bombyx mori.  Farmed B. mori pupae are an important source of protein for rural farmers and their families.