<Li> <P> The silk is woven using a loom . </P> </Li> <P> The silk is woven using a loom . </P> <P> Silkworm larvae are fed with mulberry leaves, and, after the fourth moult, they climb a twig placed near them and spin their silken cocoons . The silk is a continuous filament comprising fibroin protein, secreted from two salivary glands in the head of each larva, and a gum called sericin, which cements the filaments . The sericin is removed by placing the cocoons in hot water, which frees the silk filaments and readies them for reeling . This is known as the degumming process . The immersion in hot water also kills the silkworm pupa . </P> <P> Single filaments are combined to form thread, which is drawn under tension through several guides and wound onto reels . The threads may be plied to form yarn . After drying, the raw silk is packed according to quality . </P>

At which stage does a silkworm produce silk thread