Mopane Worm vs Anna's Eighty-Eight
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mopane Worm | Anna's Eighty-Eight |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gonimbrasia belina | Diaethria anna |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 80-100 mm (caterpillar) | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Africa | Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mopane Worm
The most economically important edible insect in southern Africa. The caterpillar of an emperor moth, harvested, dried, and traded as a high-protein food across the region.
Did You Know?
Mopane worms are a $85 million annual industry in southern Africa — dried caterpillars contain 60% protein and are a crucial food security resource for millions of people.
Anna's Eighty-Eight
A small neotropical butterfly with bright blue-green upper wings and a striking black-and-white numeral pattern underneath. It is closely related to Cramer's eighty-eight.
Did You Know?
Despite being named for the number pattern, many individuals actually display patterns closer to '89' than '88.'