Insects

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Here are some of the most common and interesting insects in Gorongosa National Park. All have been sighted in the park since 2004. If you visit the park and see an insect not on this list, please let us know!

We're always looking for more photos of Gorongosa insects, so please send your best shots. Send all email and photos to contact@gorongosa.net.

Insects by Category

Dragonflies & Damselflies

Red Basker
Urothemis assignata
Blue Basker
Urothemis edwardsii

Grasshoppers, Crickets, & Katydids

Leaf Katydid
Eurycorypha genus
Grass Katydid
Tylopsis bilineolata
Rain Locust
Lamarckiana genus
Garden Locust
Acanthacris ruficornis
Elegant Grass-mimicking Grasshopper
Leptacris genus

Mantids

Giant Green Mantid
Sphodromantis gastrica

Termites

Common Fungus-growing Termite
Odontotermes badius

True Bugs

Red Spotted Spittle Bug
Locris arithmetica
Stink Bug
Pentatomidae genus
Green Vegetable Bug
Nezara viridula
Pond Skater
Gerris svakopensis
Giant Twig-wilter
Petascelis remipes
Leaf-footed Twig Wilter
Leptoglossus membraceus

Ants, Bees, & Wasps

Matabele Ant
Megaponera foetens

Beetles

Dung Beetle
Scarabaeoidea superfamily
Circular Tortoise Beetle
Aspidimorpha dilecta
Eyed Jewel Beetle
Lampetis amaurotica
Tailed Net-winged Beetle
Lycus trabeatus
Common Metalic Longhorn
Promeces longipes

Net-veined Insects

Green Lacewing
Chrysoplera genus

Moths

Peach Moth
Egybolis vaillantina
Wavy Owl
Calliodes pretiosissima
Leaf Emporer
Antheraea flavivitta
Large Striped Hawk
Hippotion osiris

Insects for Dinner

null The large magodo bug is a local delicacy around Mount Gorongosa. Learn more about how they are smoked out and caught by the hundreds. More>

Matabele Ants Protect Large Squadrons

null Named for the Matabele warriors who advanced through Africa, Matabele ant squadrons raid termite nests day and night. More>

Did You Know?

Matabele ants form squadrons to raid termite nests. Named for the Matabele warriors who advanced through south and central Africa in the 1850s, these ants station large soldiers with powerful jaws along their path for protection.

Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique