Numerous cattle, sheep and even game are lost annually in Namibia due to the ingestion of Gonometa postica cocoons. G. postica is commonly known as the hairy worm or Molopo worm. This "worm" is the caterpillar stage of the G. postica or Molopo moth and lives on Acacia species, predominantly A. erioloba (Camelthorn) and A. mellifera (Blackthorn), on which they depend as host trees. Thus, problems occur usually in acacia veld and are concentrated in the dry south-easterly parts of Namibia.