noun
wild silkworm moth
Refers specifically to Bombyx mandarina, the wild ancestor of the domesticated silkworm. Usually written in kana.
くわこは家蚕の祖先と考えられている。
The wild silkworm moth is considered the ancestor of the domesticated silkworm.
桑の葉に野生のくわこがいた。
There was a wild silkworm moth on the mulberry leaves.
Refers to the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori), while くわこ is the wild species.
From 桑 (kuwa, 'mulberry') + 蚕 (ko, 'silkworm'), referring to its habitat and classification. The reading くわご is a variant.