The Apprentice: Sericulture Edition
Launched in 2026, the CPALI-SEPALI Madagascar sericulture initiative is training a new generation of young farmers in the science and art of wild silk production. Under this exciting new program, everybody wins.
Above: SEPALI Madagascar's first three wild silk farming apprentices, Iance, Didier and Wardy, hold chrysalises of Antherina suraka, the endemic Madagascar bullseye moth. (Photo: Mamy Ratsimbazafy/SEPALI Madagascar)
First glance
The new collaborative sericulture (wild silk production) apprenticeship, led by SEPALI Madagascar entomologist and director Mamy Ratsimbazafy, combines ecology, mentorship, and innovation. Launched in summer 2026, the first cohort brings together three young farmers nominated by their Makira Natural Park-bordering community. After a year of training, the apprentices will be ready to share their knowledge with a new generation of young people to help further integrate regenerative wild silk rearing into rainforest-bordering agroforestry systems. Doing this helps regenerate native trees and wider host plants in deforested areas on the margins of protected forests, while providing a fair source of income to subsistence farming families in northeastern Madagascar.
Creating safe space
This year's initiative began with construction of a new moth habitat at the SEPALI Madagascar demonstration garden. The habitat has a netted enclosure to keep predators like birds and lizards out, and caterpillars and moths in. Beyond a dedicated space for training sericulture apprentices, school children will visit each year to learn about endemic silk moths and wild silk textile production, inspiring the next generation.
Photo: Rachel Kramer/CPALI
First lessons
The new cohort left their Makira forest-bordering village and journeyed down the Antainambalana River to begin their apprenticeship in the town of Maroantsetra. Their education began with an introduction to sustainably collected wild silk cocoons from the endemic Madagascar bullseye moth (Antherina suraka), the Madagascar ghostly silk moth (Ceranchia apollina), and the bag cocoons of Deborrea malgassa. These cocoons had just been deposited by regional farmers. Mamy Ratsimbazafy and SEPALI Madagascar's agroforestry team leaders demonstrated the process of cleaning and preparing the cocoons for textile production.
Photo: Lalaina Raharindimby/SEPALI Madagascar
First rearing experience
After learning about endemic host plants, wild silk moth lifecycles, and ecology, the apprentices successfully reared their first wild silk moths from egg to caterpillar (through five stages of instar) to moth.
Above: Eggs of Antherina suraka, the Madagascar bullseye moth, laid in the new SEPALI Madagascar silk moth habitat. (Photo: Rachel Kramer/CPALI)
Above: A fifth instar caterpillar of Antherina suraka. Caterpillars play an important role in forest systems, depositing frass that amends soils. (Photo: Rachel Kramer/CPALI)
Above: An Antherina suraka mature moth perches on a native host plant after laying eggs to secure the next generation. The moth phase of this species' development is geared exclusively to mating and reproduction. In the wild in northeastern Madagascar, Mamy Ratsimbazafy's research has found that adult moths often only live for 4-5 days, though they can live somewhat longer in captive settings. (Photo: Michael Listgarten)
Above: Wild silk apprentices Iance and Didier proudly pose with Antherina suraka endemic Madagascar bullseye moths that they have learned to rear. (Photo: Mamy Ratsimbazafy/SEPALI Madagascar)
First field mission
After their first successful rearing experience, the apprentices joined director Mamy Ratsimbazafy in visiting multiple rainforest bordering communities to meet with skilled farmers and learn about their endemic host tree plantings for caterpillar rearing to the south and east of the Makira forest. Next, the apprentices will learn to cultivate another endemic species of wild silk moth.
Above: Wild silk apprentices Iance, Didier and Wardy proudly join the SEPALI Madagascar team. (Photo: Mamy Ratsimbazafy/SEPALI Madagascar)
Locally led conservation and livelihood initiatives like this one depend on the generous support of readers like you! Our team sends gratitude to all who have contributed to make this apprenticeship possible in 2026.
