Tanox

Tanox, or Tanoxii korxi is a species of large caterpillar which eats a wide variety of tree leaves. The adult form is a large brown moth which can lay up to 400 eggs, but has been domesticated to be unable to fly. Adults are kept in large baskets full of leaves to lay eggs, and the eggs can be kept cold and stored for up to 5 months. If not chilled, eggs take about 5 days to hatch. Baby caterpillars grow rapidly on the tree leaves, until they are collected. Usually 15-25% die. After they reach a certain size and enter their fifth and final molt, at which point they turn dark brown and enter the prepupal stage. If not collected they will find a place to pupate that is far away and they will not get collected. Once collected and placed in a basket (with a top) in the dark, they will pupate within a week. The pupal stage is easier to manage in terms of cooking than the other stages and is much firmer and better once cooked.

The pupal stage lasts around a week. Usually one out of every 100 pupae are kept behind for mating and continuing to farm them.

Pupae are very common throughout the east and southeastern regions of Yalhuaca, and are usually cooked in the traditional southern cooking method of Tatun.

Once cooked they are served with spices and herbs and used to make Kalèkh.