Mopane Moth (Golimbrasia belina)
The Mopane Moth which is native to South Africa is one of the emperor moth species, and one of the “Big Twelve” African Insects.
You can easily identify this month because of its distinct markings. The mopane moth is large with a wingspan of 120mm, it has two large tiger eyes (orange eye with a black and a white band around it) on its hind wing and two smaller eyes on the front. Their wing colour varies from shades of brown, red and green.
The male moths use their feathery antennae to detect females.
During February in the rainy season, especially in areas of South Africa with warmer climates, you will often find these Mopane moths as they emerge every night. They have a short live span of 3-4 days in which they need to find a mate and lay legs. They can lay between 100-250 in a single cluster.
Beautiful. The colors look stunning.
Nice images @crazymumzyas! Apparently as a child I was fed plenty of crunchy mopane worms in Botswana. Are they eaten in south Africa too?
Thank you timspawls. Yes, our locals love them.
They have two eyes on the wings, maybe to scare predators.
It looks like a spider with wings. It's really nice!
Nice pictures, thank you for sharing about the mopane moth. At least I learnt something new today :)
The moths are identifiable by their markings, and two black and white bands isolating two smaller eyespots.
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Astonishing butterfly, it is huge!
We do not have it here.
Very beautiful photo. Thanks
That's interesting.
Thanks for sharing!
beautiful looking moth. great info