The Mopane worm is a rather large larvae of the Mopane moth. Local folk collect them, squeeze the insides out and dry so that they can keep for a long time. It is highly prized as a food due to the low fat and very high protein value, so much so that in some African countries it is a large part of a child’s staple diet, as the protein aids development.
It feeds off of the Mopane tree, which is bright green with leaves in the shape of butterfly wings. In autumn the tree goes through all the autumn colours.
The Mopane tree is also a highly valued food source of the elephant, which can consume all parts of the tree from the leaves to the bark and branches, both fresh or dried.