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The Rhodesia Herald,

January 20, 1972

DESPITE sanctions, Rhodesia’s exports of caterpillars are booming  and making a fortune for traders who sell them in Zambia.

The dried, edible caterpillars are flooding the markets in Zambia’s rail towns and cities from Livingstone to the Copperbelt.

The caterpillars are caught and sun dried in the Wankie district. Zambian marketeers buy 200kg bags for five Zambian Kwacha ($4,75).

Rhodesian Africans then trade the Zambian for money earned by Zambians working at Wankie Mine, who send it to their relatives at home. – Iana.

Lessons for today

Mopane worms, scientifically known as Gonimbrasia belina, are commonly found in the Southern parts of the country especially in Matabeleland South.

Mopane worms are a healthy and cheap source of nutrition. They are nutritionally rich in protein, fat, carbohydrates and considerable proportions of minerals.

Harvesting of mopane worms takes place during a short period (about three to four weeks) while the caterpillars are on the tree. There is usually one main harvest per year (November to January) but a smaller second harvest occurs in April or May following good rains.

Mopane worms were previously harvested for subsistence, but they have now been commercialised and are now readily available in shops.