Bombyx mori the molecular identification of the first known pheromone, bombykol, which required extracts from 500,000 individuals, due to the very small quantities of pheromone produced by any individual worm. Currently, research is focusing on genetics of silkworms and the possibility of genetic engineering. Many hundreds of strains are maintained, and over 400 Mendelian mutations have been described. Another source suggests 1,000 inbred domesticated strains are kept worldwide. One useful development for the silk industry is silkworms that can feed on food other than mulberry leaves, including an artificial diet. Research on the genome also raises the possibility of genetically engineering silkworms
Maru Maru Mori Mori! the record of the longest streak on the Oricon charts. The previous record set by the 2007 song "Gake no Ue no Ponyo", the theme song of the Studio Ghibli film "Ponyo", which remained on the charts for 11 consecutive weeks in 2008. "Gake no Ue no Ponyo" featured the then 8-year old actress Nozomi Ōhashi. The song "Maru Maru Mori Mori" received the Special Award at the 53rd Japan Record Awards. Maru Maru Mori Mori! On 4 April 2011, it was announced that the theme song of the Fuji Television television drama "Marumo no Okite" will be sung by