Page 399 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Saturniidae
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION Angola, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique, south to South Africa
TRIBUTION
DIS
HABIT
HABITAT T Grasslands, low forests, and semideserts
A
HABITAT
HOS
HOST PLANTS S Many trees, especially Mopane (Colophospermum mopane)
T PLANT
HOST PLANTS
NOTE
TE
NOTE Caterpillar that is a popular South African food
NO
CONSERV A TION S T A TUS Not evaluated, but widespread, though disappearing in some areas
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERVATION STATUS
ADULT WINGSPAN
4⅛–5½ in (105–140 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
4 in (100 mm)
GONIMBRASIA BELINA
MOPANE WORM 397
WESTWOOD, 1849

The celebrated Mopane, or Mopani, Worm, feeds on the
widespread Mopane tree in many habitats of southern Africa.
The caterpillars hatch in spring in subequatorial Africa and
complete ve instars during the summer before burrowing in

the ground to pupate for the winter, emerging as moths the
following spring. This silkmoth caterpillar is widely eaten,
and its commercialization is a multimillion dollar business in
southern Africa. It is smoked, dried, or canned in tomato or chili
sauce and sold in supermarkets. The adult Mopane Moth and
caterpillar also appear on stamps and coins. The Mopane Worm caterpillar is black with
irregular bands of tiny, white ovals grouped
closely together, these alternating with bands of
There are as many as 39 species of Gonimbrasia listed, all African. yellow on the sides and orange on the dorsum.
Adults of G. belina are variable and usually colorful, with an The short, eshy scoli are orange, and the head
and feet are black. Medium-long white hairs
orange eyespot on each hindwing. The caterpillars can eat up to sprawl from the scoli, thoracic shield, legs,
and prolegs.
90 percent of the leaves on Mopane trees in an area, but the leaves
quickly grow back. Caterpillars once present in great numbers
in some areas can no longer be found there due to overharvesting;
domestication or reintroduction of the moths followed by better
management practices are now being discussed.

Actual size