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πŸ¦‹ Butterflies & Moths

Pallid Emperor Moth

Cirina forda

About

A medium-sized saturniid moth with pale brownish-grey wings. The caterpillars, known as shea worms, feed on shea butter trees and are widely consumed in West Africa. Adults emerge synchronously at the start of the rainy season.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillars are so important as food in West Africa that their harvest timing is traditionally regulated by village elders.