Gonimbrasia belina
| Mopane worm | |
|---|---|
| Caterpillar in a mopane tree, and male imago (note the feathered antennae) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Saturniidae |
| Genus: | Gonimbrasia |
| Species: | G. belina |
| Binomial name | |
| Gonimbrasia belina Westwood, 1849 | |
Gonimbrasia belina is a species of emperor moth which is native to the warmer parts of southern Africa. Its large edible caterpillar, known as the mopane worm, madora, amacimbi “pigeon moth” or masontja, feeds primarily but not exclusively on mopane tree leaves. Mopane worms are an important source of protein for many in the region. The species was first described by John O. Westwood in 1849.
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