Harvesting mopane worm in Limpopo and underlying Ecological Infrastructure Ruan Veldtman*, Zwanda Nethavhani & Stefan Foord Utilizing mopane worms • Food Security • Natural harvesting • Benefits of Biodiversity • Ecologically based Adaptation • Minimum intervention techniques • Mapping of Ecological Infrastructure Gardiner et al. Some aspects of the ecology and sustainable utilization of mopane worm Life cycle of the mopane worm Wild silk moth species - Gonometa spp. Gonometa postica Cryptic vs. non-cryptic Gonometa rufobrunnea Phylogenetic constraints on dynamics Flying Egg clumping Larval Dynamics ability aggregation Latent N less eggs small batches few larvae Time N Eruptive more eggs large batches many larvae Time Variability across field sites 600 V1 500 V2 H 400 G 300 Ku Ko Number of pupae of 200 100 0 CS1CS2CS3CS4 Survey date Gonometa postica cocoons surveyed during fieldwork (on 100 host plants) Distribution of Colophosphermum mopane (blue icons) and sites with mopane worm outbreaks in 2016 and 2017 (yellow icons). Predicted and actual distribution of the mopane tree Slide: Dr Alan Gardiner Picture: Dr Alan Gardiner Picture: Dr Alan Gardiner Gardiner et al. Some aspects of the ecology and sustainable utilization of mopane worm MSc project: Development of minimum intervention techniques to reduce variability in Mopane worms supply for harvesting. By Zwannda Nethavhani Supervisor: Prof Stefan Foord University of Venda Co‐supervisor: Dr Ruan Veldtman SANBI Research objectives and aims of MSc i. Develop techniques to reduce variability in mopane worm supply for harvesting in both space and time. ii. Develop an understanding of mopane worm population dynamics and spatial structuring. iii. Quantify the effectiveness of sleeves to reduce I–III instar mortality in the field. iv. To determine the spatial structure of mopane worm. v. To compare mortality rate of seeded local population to that of established populations Preventing mortality from parasitism Increasing the benefits from mopane worm harvesting Provincial Municipality Village Neighbourhood Watch this space Semi-domestication of mopane worm can increase the amount of biomass available for harvesting This means that more mopane veld can potentially be used as mopane worm forage as a biodiversity compatible resource use In the face of climate change population management can reduce variability in mopane worm supply and thus improve food security. This case study has many cross cutters that can highlight the importance of mapping EI that supports food security and ensuring sustainable benefits from biodiversity Acknowledgements • Dr Alan Gardiner (SAWC) • Morgan Raath (Plant Sciences, UP) Key mopane worm related references Akpalu, W., Muchapondwa, E., & Zikhali, P. (2009). Can the restrictive harvest period policy conserve mopane worms in southern Africa? A bioeconomic modelling approach. Environment and Development Economics, 14(05), 587-600. Gardiner, A.J. (2003) Internal Final Report: Mopane Woodlands and the Mopane Worm: Enhancing Rural Livelihoods and Resource Sustainability, DFID Project No. R7822. The Domestication of Mopane Worms (Imbrasia belina). Veld Products Research & Development, Gaborone, Botswana. Ghazoul, J. (2006). Mopane woodlands and the mopane worm: enhancing rural livelihoods and resource sustainability. Forest Research Programme Report, 7822. Hope, R. A., Frost, P. G., Gardiner, A., & Ghazoul, J. (2009). Experimental analysis of adoption of domestic mopane worm farming technology in Zimbabwe. Development Southern Africa, 26(1), 29-46. Madibela, O. R., Mokwena, K. K., Nsoso, S. J., & Thema, T. F. (2009). Chemical composition of Mopane worm sampled at three sites in Botswana and subjected to different processing. Tropical animal health and production, 41(6), 935-942. Makhado, R.A., Potgieter, M.J., Wessels, D.C., Saidi, A.T., Masehela, K.K., 2012. Use of mopane woodland resources and associated woodland management challenges in rural areas of South Africa. Ethnobot. Res. Appl. 10, 369–379..