3.MOPANI WORMS

BOTSWANA  is a land of Mopani worms.

The worm is the large caterpillar of the Gonimbrasia Belina species, commonly called the emperor moth. It's called a mopane worm because it feeds on the leaves of mopane trees after it hatches in summer. It has also burrowed into literature, finding its way,  At least one of the characters munches on dried mopane worms. Mopane worms provide a nutritious supplement to the traditional Botswana diet, as they are almost 60% protein, and contain significant amounts of phosphorus, iron, and calcium.

The mopane worm is a healthful and cheap source of nutrition, the worms are high in healthy nutrients and contain three times the amount of protein as beef.

Dried mopane worms can be eaten raw as a crisp snack; however, in Botswana people tend not to eat the head. Alternatively, mopane worms can be soaked to rehydrate, before being fried until they are crunchy, or cooked with onion, tomatoes, and spices and then served with pap.

Mopane plants form monotypic woodlands that cover extensive areas in northern Botswana. Mopane is also a principal food item in the diet of elephants. Obtrusive damage to mopane plants as a result of elephant feeding may alter the structure of mopane woodlands. Some mopane woodland areas in northern Botswana are subjected to heavy elephant utilization rates whereas other mopane areas are less affected. However, the underlying reason for the concentrated elephant utilization is unknown.