Effects of climate variability on the harvesting and preservation of Mopani worms

Abstract

The effects of climate variability on the harvesting and preservation of Mopani worms are addressed in this review. Human consumption of insects has occurred for millennia and has recently received increased attention in the literature. Given the intimate link between the larvae of lmbrasiabelina (i.e. the Mopani worm), Mopani woodlands and rainfall, climate change and weather variability will likely have negative effects on Mopani worm availability, harvesting, preservation and nutritional status of global communities including sub-Saharan- African (hence forth SSA) countries. The literature review presented in this article covered the period between 1982 and 2015 relating to the searchfor alternative nutrient food sources which was veiy prominent during the period of variable climatic conditions. Both qualitative and quantitative literature was read. Intensive data mining of reports and publications using Google search engine was carried out, using the words Mopani worms, harvesting and preservation as key search words. Climate variability effect on the Mopani woodlands, Mopani worms developmental stages, harvesting, preservation, economic development and nutrition are discussed. The recommendations made are that the negative effects of climate variability on Mopani woodlands and Mopani worms need to be mitigated to ensure food security and sustained economic development.