Tussah silkmoth

Last updated 2026-10-19 — Tussah silkmoths, also known as oak silkworms, are one of the famous specialties of Liaoning Province. They belong to the phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Lepidoptera, and family Saturniidae. They are named tussah silkmoths because they feed on oak leaves. From the Liaodong Peninsula in the east to the mountainous areas of western Liaoning, natural silkworm breeding grounds are found throughout Liaoning Province. Key production areas include Xiuyan, Fengcheng, Kuandian, Gaixian, Xifeng, Xinjin, Haicheng, and Liaoyang counties in the Changbai Mountain and Qianshan Mountain ranges. The province’s tussah silk cocoon production accounts for about 80% of the national total. The tussah silkmoth is a treasure in itself: the cocoon shell is a noble animal-based fiber that can be woven into silk for clothing, decoration, and industrial use. Tussah silk is also widely used in military, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Tussah pupae are rich in protein and amino acids, making them a highly nutritious food.