In the forests and villages of Southeast Asia, a moth lives that has long been misunderstood. Known scientifically as Cricula trifenestrata, this insect is often dismissed as a pest because its caterpillars feed on mango, cashew, avocado, and other fruit trees.
Farmers call it “ulat kipat” for the way it quickly strips leaves, leaving orchards bare. Yet behind its destructive reputation lies an extraordinary story.
This moth belongs to the Saturniidae family, the same group that produces some of the world’s most remarkable silk species, and it is the only one known for spinning a natural golden cocoon.
Life of a Golden Moth
Cricula trifenestrata follows the same complete metamorphosis seen in other silk moths. It begins life as a tiny egg, hatching into a hungry larva that spends weeks chewing through leaves.
After several molts, the caterpillar prepares for transformation by spinning its cocoon. Unlike the white threads of domesticated Bombyx mori, the fibers of Cricula gleam with a natural gold tint.
Cricula trifenestrata produces its cocoon by continuously spinning silk threads secreted from the labial glands during its final instar.
The spinning process takes several hours, resulting in a strong, golden-colored casing that fully encloses the larva. Inside the cocoon, the insect enters the pupal stage before emerging as an adult moth, distinguished by wings patterned with translucent patches resembling windows.
In tropical climates, the entire cycle is remarkably short. Within 45 to 50 days, Cricula completes its journey from egg to moth.
For villagers who rear them, this rapid growth allows for multiple harvests each year, creating a renewable source of silk and income. What was once considered an agricultural menace has become a symbol of ecological balance and sustainable enterprise.
What Makes the Golden Cocoon So Precious?
The golden cocoon is the real treasure of Cricula trifenestrata. Its porous structure makes the silk lighter and more breathable than conventional fibers.
It offers natural resistance to ultraviolet rays and harbors antibacterial properties that add to its appeal. The uniqueness of these qualities was first documented in 1988 by Japanese scientist Hiromu Akai, whose research shifted perceptions of the insect from pest to potential resource.
Spun into yarn, the golden fibers fetch a high price. A kilogram of raw cocoons can reach around IDR 150,000 (US$9), while processed silk yarn rises to IDR 1.5 million (US$90) per kilogram.
By contrast, the familiar white cocoons of Bombyx mori are worth only about IDR 20,000 (US$1.20). This difference explains why communities in Java and Bali now cultivate the moth deliberately, creating a new form of rural industry that links tradition with modern markets.
In Yogyakarta’s royal palace, the cocoon holds a deeper cultural meaning. Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Bendoro, a member of the keraton, has shared that the princesses use skincare made from golden cocoon extracts.
She also launched the Hayyana Royal Golden Cocoon line through PT. Nur Hayu Nindyan, introducing products such as serums, brightening creams, and deep cleansers that rely on natural ingredients from Cricula.
Science supports these traditions. According to Dr. Fredi Setyawan, the cocoon is rich in sericin, a protein packed with amino acids that help the skin retain moisture, fight wrinkles, and delay premature aging.
Sericin also controls melanin production and protects. It protects against ultraviolet damage and promotes elasticity, making it a rare natural compound for skincare.
The applications of Cricula trifenestrata go far beyond cosmetics. In textiles, its golden silk is prized for strength, breathability, and resistance to sunlight, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fabrics.
In medicine, researchers are exploring sericin for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Some studies even suggest that extracts from the cocoon may have anti-cancer potential by triggering cell death in mammalian cultures.
The golden pigment contains lutein, essential for eye health, and was patented in 2008 for its effectiveness against cataracts.
From Pest to Palace
The journey of Cricula trifenestrata is more than a tale of metamorphosis. Once dismissed as a pest and targeted with toxic pesticides, this golden moth has become a symbol of renewal.
Thanks to scientific research, the Cricula offers more than just silk. It provides a pathway to sustainable livelihoods, holds the potential for medicinal use, and contributes to the enrichment of royal beauty rituals.
Villagers who once saw it as a threat now protect its habitat, cultivating it, and replanting trees. As a result, this work is reviving biodiversity in lands that were once dry and degraded. In doing so, they also preserve sacred spaces like the Imogiri Royal Tombs, where nature and heritage intertwine.
This shift in approach leads us to reconsider what we label as “waste” or “nuisance,” and to recognize the potential hidden in small, fragile lives.
It invites industries to innovate, researchers to explore, and communities to reclaim agency over their landscapes and traditions.
In a world grappling with climate change, biodiversity loss, and cultural erosion, the story of Cricula trifenestrata reminds us that solutions don’t always come from grand inventions. Sometimes, they flutter quietly from the forest, wrapped in gold, waiting to be seen.
Let the golden cocoon be a metaphor for transformation, not just of a moth, but of mindsets. Because when we choose to see differently, even the smallest creature can lead us toward a more resilient, respectful, and regenerative future.
Sources:
https://biodiversitywarriors.kehati.or.id/artikel/serangga-cricula-trifenestrata-dianggap-hama-tetapi-penghasil-sutera-emas/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295303063_Cell_Proliferation_Inhibition_by_Sericin_from_the_Wild_Silkworm_Cricula_trifenestrata
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/forums/forum-demoracy-ruleoflaw/2025/subm-5-session-forum-non-orga-10-wong-royal-golden-cocoon-java.pdf
https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2016/04/11/ini-dia-rahasia-kecantikan-5-putri-keraton-jogja
https://icforum.swiss/challenges-and-solutions/engagements/V9TrnBBmZK4G0me4dBvA?fbclid=IwAR01Qn9h823S-mVQjheZLU4MtsbaC5ialvcDGDuuzeewJ4lseSvDe_62ph4
https://www.hayyana.id/product
https://digilib.uin-suka.ac.id/id/eprint/8194/1/BAB%20I,%20V,%20DAFTAR%20PUSTAKA.pdf
