Mopane worms: What are they?
2003
Member Mushongahande
The mopane worm is the colloquial english name for the larval stage (caterpillar) of the Anomalous emperor moth Imbrasia belina, a saturniid lepidopteran widely distributed throughout southern, central and east Africa. The caterpillar popularly known as madora or masonjain Shona and macimbi in Ndebele, has been collected as food for hundreds of years throughout southern africa and remains an important part of the economic portfolio of thousand of rural househols in the region comprising an industry worth tens of millions of US dollars annually Mopane worms provide a nutritious supplement to the traditional Zimbabwean diet, as they are almost 60% protein and contain significant amounts of phosphorous, iron, calcium, fats and essential vitamins. Theya ae easily harvested and dried and have a long shelf-life, especially useful in rural areas where there is no refridgeration.
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