Why are silkworms called silkworms?

Silkworms are called silkworms because they are the primary source of silk production. The term refers specifically to the larvae of the silk moth, Bombyx mori, which spin cocoons made of silk fibers during their pupal stage. This silk has been cultivated for thousands of years, leading to the association of the larvae with silk. The name reflects their role in the silk-making process.