Common names:
|
Mopane Emperor moth. Egungu |
Pest status:
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Farmers do not consider this species a pest because it is edible and
sought wherever possible. The mopane worm is widespread in northern Namibia,
although farmers complain that the species is no longer so common as it
used to be. The author has found the species at Ogongo Agricultural College
(Omusati region) and in middle of Oshakati town (Oshana region), Ondobe
Clinic, Ohangwena region, Ruacana falls in Kunene region and in large numbers
over thousands of hectares north of Opuwo, Kunene region. |
Description:
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The adult moth is one of the larger Emperor moths. The wings
are a warm brown colour with large eye spots. The moth is often noticed
flying at night to the security lights and resting on the ground or walls
next morning.
The caterpillars are found in clusters on mopane trees. They are yellow
with black spots and markings. They have conspicuos black spikes and whitish
hairs. The mature caterpillar reaches a length of 9-10 cm. |
Control:
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This species is not controlled. On the contrary, there are plans to
start a project cultivating the mopane worm because of its edible qualities. |
Other notes:
|
The mopane worms are collected during the rainy season, dried and sold
at the local market in large quantities. A local company packs them in
small plastic bags and sell them as snacks in the farm stores in Tsumeb.
According to an old newspaper clipping from 1993, dried mopane worms sold
wholesale for as much as R 750 per bag and the retailer could expect to
sell the worms at double the price. See also the impact of selling in the
article from Campfire below
It is reported that most of the mopane worms nowadays are collected
from Angola or northwestern Namibia e.g. Omusati region.
When mopane worms are reared indoors one can hear a distinct clicking
sound when they feed on the mopane leaves. |
