Mopane worms

 

 

Scientific name

Gonimbrasia Belina , Imbrasia Belina

 

Where can you find this insect  ?

This insect lives and is harvested in South Africa (Limpopo province), in Zimbabwe and in Botswana.

 

 

Common names

• Mopane worm: English
• Chenille de mopane, vers mopane, Mopani: French
• Mashonzha , tshivenda: Sipedi, a South African language

 

Breeding

Mopane worms only feed on the Mopane tree, which is common in northern South Africa and Zimbabwe. It is the best-known and most consumed insect in these regions. However, this worm is becoming rare due to rising demand from local populations which has led to excessive harvest. There have been attempts to breed Mopane worms in Zimbabwe, but it is constrained by the strict dependency on Mopane leaves as a feed source. For more information, please contact us.

 

 

Economy

Mopane worms harvest and sale is an important income source for local populations. In Botswana, the Mopane worm industry is estimated to generate 1.6 million euros and sustains 10,000 jobs! In South Africa, dried worms are sold for 10$/kg.

 

Taste and texture

The worms are cooked in a pan with different sauces, like the caterpillar broth. Their taste is quite bitter. Spices and lemon are thus often added during cooking to soften the taste. The texture can be defined as rubbery.

 

 

Nutritional composition 

Dried mopane worms are full of highly digestible proteins!

Nutritional composition of dried Mopane Worms
Protéines	55 %
Protéines digestibles	53 %
Glucides	8 %
Fibres	16 %
Minéraux	8 %
Lipides	16  %

Source: Raphael Kwiri et al. 2014. Mopane Worm (Gonimbrasia belina) Utilization, a Potential Source of Protein in Fortifies Blended Foods in Zimbabwe: A Review. Global Journals Inc. Volume 14 Issue 10 Version 1.0.

 

If you need more detailed analyses, feel free to contact us.