Mopane worms are considered a true delicacy in Southern Africa and are widely consumed in rural communities as an important source of protein. Scientifically known as Gonimbrasia belina, the mopane worm is the brightly coloured, spiky caterpillar of the emperor moth. It is one of the larger caterpillars found in Africa, almost as long as a finger and as thick as a cigar.

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For many people in the Western world, eating insects often triggers feelings of aversion or disgust. However, in large parts of rural Africa and other regions around the world, entomophagy or the consumption of edible insects, is a normal part of the staple diet.

In 2013, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) published a study highlighting edible insects as a highly nutritious and environmentally friendly food source. As interest in sustainable eating grows, mopane worms and other edible insects may gain acceptance in Western diets.

Mopane worms in African culture

Mopane worms have been an important part of African food culture for generations. Despite their name, mopane “worms” are not worms at all, they are the caterpillar larvae of the emperor moth (Gonimbrasia belina). In English, they are called mopane worms because they feed on the leaves of mopane trees. Locally, they are known by different names depending on the country: such as macimbi or mashonja in Zimbabwe, phane in Botswana and omagungu in Namibia.

Mopane worms are more than just a food item as they are tied to local traditions, family economies and seasonal rituals. During harvest season, communities often come together to collect, prepare and preserve the worms, making it both a cultural and social activity.

Are mopane worms are edible insects?

Yes, the mopane worm is an edible caterpillar, one of the many edible insects in Southern Africa, and it feeds mainly on the leaves of the mopane tree, hence its name. During harvest time, which takes place a few weeks into the rainy season, hundreds of families hand-pick them from the trees. The innards of the caterpillar are carefully removed, after which they are dried in the sun, smoked, or boiled for preservation. In some cases, they are also preserved in cans.

The dried mopane worms, also called mopani worm, can be stored for use throughout the year and are mostly sold at local markets in rural areas or in supermarkets in larger cities. When harvested and prepared properly, mopane worms are safe to eat and provide a nutritious source of protein for many families.

Mopane worms nutritional value - a high source of protein

For most families in rural villages across Southern Africa, mopane worms are an easily obtainable and inexpensive source of protein. They contain about three times as much protein as beef, making them highly nutritious and a valuable part of the diet. In addition to their nutritional importance, mopane worms have also become a million-dollar industry in Southern Africa, with some exported to European countries.

Mopane worms are commonly eaten in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and certain regions of South Africa, providing both sustenance and income for local communities.

How to cook mopane worms

Mopane worms can be enjoyed in several ways. They can be eaten dried as a crispy snack, or fried to perfection with a pinch of salt. Another popular method is to cook them in a stew with tomato, onion, chili, or peanut sauce. They are often served with sadza (also known as pap in South Africa), a maize porridge staple and green vegetables.

The eye of the worm is literally the eye catcher and will be eaten as well, except in parts of Botswana where the eye is removed before consumption.

What do Mopane worms taste like?

I first tried mopane worms at The Boma Restaurant, part of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The restaurant serves many mouthwatering dishes and a fried worm is one of them. Guests who try at least one fried worms even receive a special certificate. The worm I had was grilled and looked very well done, it tasted somewhat like a well-cooked piece of steak. I didn’t go for a second one at the time, but it was an interesting culinary experience.

A few years later, I visited a rural village in Zimbabwe with some tourists and was invited to join a traditional meal. We were served sadza with lots of mopane worms bought from a local market. The whole village eagerly watched as we tried them for the first time. I remembered that they hadn’t tasted too bad in The Boma, so I didn’t mind eating them again.

We each had about 15 of the creepy crawlies on our plates, which was a bit much for my taste, especially with one big black eye still visible. I managed to eat about five before inviting some of the village children to join in. Full of joy, they attacked the plate and were very happy with this delicious meal… and so was I.

For anyone wanting to try a true local African dish, mopane worms are a unique and nutritious option that can be cooked to your liking, fried, in a stew, or served with sadza. Mopane worms are definitely one of the edible insects you can try!

Have you ever tried to eat insects? Would you try and eat them knowing they are very nutritious?