Sternal pores are important features for identification of male thrips, especially within the sub... more Sternal pores are important features for identification of male thrips, especially within the subfamily Thripinae. They vary in shape, size and distribution even between species of one genus. Their functional role is speculated for sex- or aggregation pheromone- production. However sexual aggregations are not reported with Echinothrips americanus with known presence of sternal pores, while we observed aggregations in Megalurothrips sjostedti with reported absence of sternal pores. Hence the function and morphological evidence for sternal glands in these thrips species need to be clarified. The sternal glands and pores of Frankliniella occidentalis, E. americanus and M. sjostedti males were observed light- and electron microscopically. Sternal pores in sternites III to V were observed in all the species, including M. sjostedti. The pore plates were circular and medial in F. occidentalis; multiple pores distributed on sternites in E. americanus and an extremely small pore in front of ...
The Western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis is an important economical pest of crops thr... more The Western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis is an important economical pest of crops throughout the world. Entomopathogenic fungi are the most promising alternative to chemical pesticides. However, larval stages of F. occidentalis are often considered to be refractory to fungal infection as compared to the adults; hence, screening of 10 isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin and 8 of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin showed that M. anisopliae isolates ICIPE 7, ICIPE 20, ICIPE 69 and ICIPE 665 had the shortest LT50 value. In dose-response mortality, ICIPE 69, ICIPE 7 and ICIPE 20 had the lowest LC50 values. ICIPE 69 produced significantly more conidia than the other two isolates on WFT larvae. ITS sequence comparison indicated the presence of a restriction site SfoI on ICIPE69, which could be due to the difference in geographical origin. These results coupled with previous studies on its virulence and field efficacy to other thrips species make M. ani...
Africa has seen a significant increase in largescale land acquisitions (LSLA}. Although LSLAs hav... more Africa has seen a significant increase in largescale land acquisitions (LSLA}. Although LSLAs have since slowed down and their impact on production remains limited, they provide evidence of long-term trends of growing commercial interest in land. Investment by domestic actors receives less media attention, but is growing in importance. (Resume d'auteur)
This Special Issue presents the outcomes from the 23rd African Association of Insect Scientists' ... more This Special Issue presents the outcomes from the 23rd African Association of Insect Scientists' Conference held in Cote D'Ivoire, in connection with similar initiatives within and outside Africa. Over 65 scientific papers from several countries, worldwide, were submitted, of which about 40 were accepted and published. The issue focused on new advances in the value chain of edible insects in Africa and beyond. An innovative light-emitting diode technology for mass harvesting of edible grasshopper has been developed. The nutrient composition of insects such as the desert locust has been evaluated. Organic waste streams have been found to affect insect productivity and nutritional value. Insect-based feed increases the nutritional quality of poultry meat. Conventional processing methods reduce microbiological hazards in edible insects. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals, excessive microbial loads and pesticides residues threaten safety of some edible insects, if quality control measures are not developed. Climate change will impede availability of edible insects; hence, necessitating upscaling of mass production technologies and sound conservation practices. Safety and hygiene, on the other hand, hamper the acceptability of insects as food and/or feed, particularly in developed countries. Food fortification with insects and isolation of bioactive compounds from them are new highlights in the Special Issue, which were previously under-explored in Africa. The application of modern food processing technology in the development of new products and the medicinal or commercial value derivable from edible insects and their therapeutic functions are excellent opportunities for expanding the sector. Since disgust factors exist, mass sensitisation on the benefits of consuming insects and insect-based products is a must. We believe that the new frontiers on insects for food, feed and other uses that have been presented in this special issue will undoubtedly stimulate more debates and collaborations in the sector within Africa and beyond.
Temperature critically affects the performance of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Mathematical mode... more Temperature critically affects the performance of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Mathematical models are critical tools used in predictive microbiology but are less adopted for EPF. We selected eight nonlinear models to describe thermal biology; minimum (T min), optimal (T opt) and maximum (T max) thresholds; and maximal growth (P max) of EPF. Conidial germination and mycelial growth of Metarhizium anisopliae (ICIPE 7, ICIPE 20, ICIPE 62, ICIPE 69, ICIPE 78) and Beauveria bassiana (ICIPE 284) isolates incubated at 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36°C were measured and fitted to the models. The models were compared using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and adjusted R 2. The best-fitting models for germination of the isolates were the cardinal temperature model with inflection (CTMI), Ratkowsky 3 and the generalised β function, while the best-fitting models for growth were CTMI, Ratkowsky 3, Lactin 1 and generalised β function. Brière 1, Brière 2, Ratkowsky 2, and Van Der Heide least fitted most germination and growth datasets.
BACKGROUND: The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a serious pest of maiz... more BACKGROUND: The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a serious pest of maize. Farming systems such as push-pull or maize-legume intercropping have been reported to reduce FAW infestations significantly. However, the exact mechanisms involved in FAW management have not been practically elucidated. We therefore assessed larval host preference, feeding and survival rate when exposed to four host plants commonly used in push-pull and legume intercropping. We also compared adult moths' oviposition preference between maize and other grasses used as trap crops in push-pull. RESULTS: The larval orientation and settlement study showed that maize was the most preferred host plant followed by bean, desmodium and Brachiaria brizantha cv Mulato II. The larval arrest and dispersal experiment showed that mean number of larvae was significantly higher on maize than on Desmodium or B. brizantha cv Mulato II. However, no significant differences were found between maize and b...
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), which has recently invaded the Afric... more The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), which has recently invaded the African continent, has become a new threat to cereal production. Being an invasive pest with certain competitive advantages, the impact of FAW on other lepidopteran pests is unclear. This study assessed the infestation of FAW and cereal stemborers on maize and sorghum under mono-cropped systems that are adjacently placed in five districts in Uganda. Data on maize and sorghum infestation cereal stemborers and FAW was collected at 6, 9 and 16 weeks after planting (WAP), to determine intensity and severity. Cereal stemborer infestations on maize at 6, 9 and 16 WAP were only 36.7%, 48.2% and 24.0%, respectively, which was significantly lower than the infestations on sorghum, at 55.5%, 53.2%, 64.0%, respectively. On the contrary, the infestations of FAW on maize at 6, 9 and 16 WAP were 89.5%, 84.7% and 86.0%, respectively, while on sorghum they were 51.0%, 56.5% and 47.0, respectively. The severity of stemborers on sorghum was statistically higher than on maize, whereas the damage severity of FAW was generally higher on maize than on sorghum. Intensity of damage and cavity length due to stemborer on sorghum was higher than on maize. Historical records showed that in maize stemborer infestation could reach 60%. This infestation started significantly declining in 2016, suggesting an early arrival of FAW in Uganda. The present study indicates a possible displacement of stemborer from maize onto sorghum. Any Integrated Pest Management (IPM) package should consider managing FAW and stemborer together in both maize and other cereal hosts.
Edible insects are a natural renewable food resource and, within the context of food security cou... more Edible insects are a natural renewable food resource and, within the context of food security could be one solution for Africa. Although, entomophagy is still being practiced in Africa, there is a degree of rejection in certain milieu due to negative images associated with insects and poor awareness efforts. In order to understand the key elementsthat govern entomophagy in Africa, we conducted an online survey on edible insects in African countries anddocumented the importance of insects, cultures and believes associated to their use. We eventually looked at genderparticipation in entomophagy. Study showed that insect consumption can be restricted to one tribe, community or toa whole region. Distinct ethnic names of edible insects and their respective host plant presented in this study implythat entomophagy constitutes an important part of community livelihood and can be easily promoted. However, insects are mainly used as complementary food, and in very few occasions, as main food....
Entomophagy is an ancient practice viewed as a potential solution to food security and sustainabl... more Entomophagy is an ancient practice viewed as a potential solution to food security and sustainable ecosystemmanagement in Africa. However, its expansion is challenged by several factors including acculturation, urbanisationand lack of information. Knowledge on indigenous practices can contribute to refining ongoing research activities and stimulate the development of adequate technologies to guide research, business and policy in entomophagy. We documented indigenous practices using outcomes of an online survey conducted between 2013 and 2015 and intensive literature crowd sourcing. Edible insects are mainly collected from wild harvesting using different methods. Although respondents acknowledged the existence of rearing technologies, no comprehensive procedure wasdescribed. We found that after collection, the processing techniques for either consumption or commercialisation varied. Our survey revealed that sun drying was the most commonly used processing technique probably because ...
This special issue presents the outcomes from “Designing sustainable and circular agricultural sy... more This special issue presents the outcomes from “Designing sustainable and circular agricultural systems for the year 2100,” the joint scientific workshop of ISOFAR, the Thünen-Institute, and INRA-Morocco, which was held from November 14 to 16, 2019 in Marrakesh, Morocco. Nineteen scientists from a broad array of background and nationalities came together with the understanding that food security globally is at risk, especially in the post-2050 timeframe. Current concepts, strategies, measures, and scientific efforts carried out by governments, NGOs, businesses, and societies do not deliver satisfying solutions for how to sustainably produce enough healthy and affordable food to support the global population. With the economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, it became even more evident that food security is a challenge. This workshop took an innovative approach to addressing the challenges of future agriculture by considering sustainable, circular agricultural syst...
The present study is the first modeling effort at a global scale to predict habitat suitability o... more The present study is the first modeling effort at a global scale to predict habitat suitability of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda and its key parasitoids, namely Chelonus insularis, Cotesia marginiventris,Eiphosoma laphygmae,Telenomus remus and Trichogramma pretiosum, to be considered for biological control. An adjusted procedure of a machine-learning algorithm, the maximum entropy (Maxent), was applied for the modeling experiments. Model predictions showed particularly high establishment potential of the five hymenopteran parasitoids in areas that are heavily affected by FAW (like the coastal belt of West Africa from Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to Nigeria, the Congo basin to Eastern Africa, Eastern, Southern and Southeastern Asia and some portions of Eastern Australia) and those of potential invasion risks (western & southern Europe). These habitats can be priority sites for scaling FAW biocontrol efforts. In the context of global warming and the event of accidental FAW...
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) has rapidly spread in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)... more Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) has rapidly spread in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and has emerged as a major pest of maize and sorghum in the continent. For effective monitoring and a better understanding of the bioecology and management of this pest, a Community-based Fall Armyworm Monitoring, Forecasting, Early Warning and Management (CBFAMFEW) initiative was implemented in six eastern African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi). Over 650 Community Focal Persons (CFPs) who received training through the project were involved in data collection on adult moths, crop phenology, cropping systems, FAW management practices and other variables. Data collection was performed using Fall Armyworm Monitoring and Early Warning System (FAMEWS), a mobile application developed by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Data collected from the CBFAMFEW initiative in East Africa and other FAW monitoring efforts in Africa were...
In response to growing food demand, edible insects are seen as a potential source to alleviate fo... more In response to growing food demand, edible insects are seen as a potential source to alleviate food insecurity. With its wide edible insects’ biodiversity, the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in Africa. This study aimed at giving a first insight on the inventory showing diversity, perception, consumption, availability, host plants, harvesting techniques and processing techniques of edible insects in South-Kivu, DRC. It recorded twenty-three edible insects belonging to nine families and five orders, some of which are consumed in the larval, adult, egg and pupa stages. Rhyncophorus phoenicis, Alphitobius diaperinus, Macrotermes subhylanus and Acheta domesticus were the most preferred edible insects in Fizi Territory, Ruspolia differens and Apis melifera larvae in Kabare Territory, Imbrasia oyemensis, Imbrasia epimethea, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Rhyncophorus phoenicis in Mwenga Territory, Ruspolia differens, Macrotermes subhylanus, G...
Edible crickets are among the praised insects that are gaining recognition as human food and live... more Edible crickets are among the praised insects that are gaining recognition as human food and livestock feed with a potential of contributing to food security and reduction of malnutrition. Globally, the sustainable use of crickets as food or feed is undermined by lack of information on the number of the edible crickets, the country where they are consumed, and the developmental stages consumed. Furthermore, lack of data on their nutritional content and the potential risks to potential consumers limits their consumption or inclusion into other food sources. We reviewed published literature on edible cricket species, countries where they are consumed, and the stage at which they are consumed. We further reviewed information on their nutritional content, the safety of cricket consumption, and the sensory qualities of the edible crickets. We also looked at other benefits derived from the crickets, which include ethnomedicine, livestock feed, pest management strategies, contribution to e...
Sternal pores are important features for identification of male thrips, especially within the sub... more Sternal pores are important features for identification of male thrips, especially within the subfamily Thripinae. They vary in shape, size and distribution even between species of one genus. Their functional role is speculated for sex- or aggregation pheromone- production. However sexual aggregations are not reported with Echinothrips americanus with known presence of sternal pores, while we observed aggregations in Megalurothrips sjostedti with reported absence of sternal pores. Hence the function and morphological evidence for sternal glands in these thrips species need to be clarified. The sternal glands and pores of Frankliniella occidentalis, E. americanus and M. sjostedti males were observed light- and electron microscopically. Sternal pores in sternites III to V were observed in all the species, including M. sjostedti. The pore plates were circular and medial in F. occidentalis; multiple pores distributed on sternites in E. americanus and an extremely small pore in front of ...
The Western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis is an important economical pest of crops thr... more The Western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis is an important economical pest of crops throughout the world. Entomopathogenic fungi are the most promising alternative to chemical pesticides. However, larval stages of F. occidentalis are often considered to be refractory to fungal infection as compared to the adults; hence, screening of 10 isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin and 8 of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin showed that M. anisopliae isolates ICIPE 7, ICIPE 20, ICIPE 69 and ICIPE 665 had the shortest LT50 value. In dose-response mortality, ICIPE 69, ICIPE 7 and ICIPE 20 had the lowest LC50 values. ICIPE 69 produced significantly more conidia than the other two isolates on WFT larvae. ITS sequence comparison indicated the presence of a restriction site SfoI on ICIPE69, which could be due to the difference in geographical origin. These results coupled with previous studies on its virulence and field efficacy to other thrips species make M. ani...
Africa has seen a significant increase in largescale land acquisitions (LSLA}. Although LSLAs hav... more Africa has seen a significant increase in largescale land acquisitions (LSLA}. Although LSLAs have since slowed down and their impact on production remains limited, they provide evidence of long-term trends of growing commercial interest in land. Investment by domestic actors receives less media attention, but is growing in importance. (Resume d'auteur)
This Special Issue presents the outcomes from the 23rd African Association of Insect Scientists' ... more This Special Issue presents the outcomes from the 23rd African Association of Insect Scientists' Conference held in Cote D'Ivoire, in connection with similar initiatives within and outside Africa. Over 65 scientific papers from several countries, worldwide, were submitted, of which about 40 were accepted and published. The issue focused on new advances in the value chain of edible insects in Africa and beyond. An innovative light-emitting diode technology for mass harvesting of edible grasshopper has been developed. The nutrient composition of insects such as the desert locust has been evaluated. Organic waste streams have been found to affect insect productivity and nutritional value. Insect-based feed increases the nutritional quality of poultry meat. Conventional processing methods reduce microbiological hazards in edible insects. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals, excessive microbial loads and pesticides residues threaten safety of some edible insects, if quality control measures are not developed. Climate change will impede availability of edible insects; hence, necessitating upscaling of mass production technologies and sound conservation practices. Safety and hygiene, on the other hand, hamper the acceptability of insects as food and/or feed, particularly in developed countries. Food fortification with insects and isolation of bioactive compounds from them are new highlights in the Special Issue, which were previously under-explored in Africa. The application of modern food processing technology in the development of new products and the medicinal or commercial value derivable from edible insects and their therapeutic functions are excellent opportunities for expanding the sector. Since disgust factors exist, mass sensitisation on the benefits of consuming insects and insect-based products is a must. We believe that the new frontiers on insects for food, feed and other uses that have been presented in this special issue will undoubtedly stimulate more debates and collaborations in the sector within Africa and beyond.
Temperature critically affects the performance of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Mathematical mode... more Temperature critically affects the performance of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Mathematical models are critical tools used in predictive microbiology but are less adopted for EPF. We selected eight nonlinear models to describe thermal biology; minimum (T min), optimal (T opt) and maximum (T max) thresholds; and maximal growth (P max) of EPF. Conidial germination and mycelial growth of Metarhizium anisopliae (ICIPE 7, ICIPE 20, ICIPE 62, ICIPE 69, ICIPE 78) and Beauveria bassiana (ICIPE 284) isolates incubated at 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36°C were measured and fitted to the models. The models were compared using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and adjusted R 2. The best-fitting models for germination of the isolates were the cardinal temperature model with inflection (CTMI), Ratkowsky 3 and the generalised β function, while the best-fitting models for growth were CTMI, Ratkowsky 3, Lactin 1 and generalised β function. Brière 1, Brière 2, Ratkowsky 2, and Van Der Heide least fitted most germination and growth datasets.
BACKGROUND: The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a serious pest of maiz... more BACKGROUND: The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a serious pest of maize. Farming systems such as push-pull or maize-legume intercropping have been reported to reduce FAW infestations significantly. However, the exact mechanisms involved in FAW management have not been practically elucidated. We therefore assessed larval host preference, feeding and survival rate when exposed to four host plants commonly used in push-pull and legume intercropping. We also compared adult moths' oviposition preference between maize and other grasses used as trap crops in push-pull. RESULTS: The larval orientation and settlement study showed that maize was the most preferred host plant followed by bean, desmodium and Brachiaria brizantha cv Mulato II. The larval arrest and dispersal experiment showed that mean number of larvae was significantly higher on maize than on Desmodium or B. brizantha cv Mulato II. However, no significant differences were found between maize and b...
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), which has recently invaded the Afric... more The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), which has recently invaded the African continent, has become a new threat to cereal production. Being an invasive pest with certain competitive advantages, the impact of FAW on other lepidopteran pests is unclear. This study assessed the infestation of FAW and cereal stemborers on maize and sorghum under mono-cropped systems that are adjacently placed in five districts in Uganda. Data on maize and sorghum infestation cereal stemborers and FAW was collected at 6, 9 and 16 weeks after planting (WAP), to determine intensity and severity. Cereal stemborer infestations on maize at 6, 9 and 16 WAP were only 36.7%, 48.2% and 24.0%, respectively, which was significantly lower than the infestations on sorghum, at 55.5%, 53.2%, 64.0%, respectively. On the contrary, the infestations of FAW on maize at 6, 9 and 16 WAP were 89.5%, 84.7% and 86.0%, respectively, while on sorghum they were 51.0%, 56.5% and 47.0, respectively. The severity of stemborers on sorghum was statistically higher than on maize, whereas the damage severity of FAW was generally higher on maize than on sorghum. Intensity of damage and cavity length due to stemborer on sorghum was higher than on maize. Historical records showed that in maize stemborer infestation could reach 60%. This infestation started significantly declining in 2016, suggesting an early arrival of FAW in Uganda. The present study indicates a possible displacement of stemborer from maize onto sorghum. Any Integrated Pest Management (IPM) package should consider managing FAW and stemborer together in both maize and other cereal hosts.
Edible insects are a natural renewable food resource and, within the context of food security cou... more Edible insects are a natural renewable food resource and, within the context of food security could be one solution for Africa. Although, entomophagy is still being practiced in Africa, there is a degree of rejection in certain milieu due to negative images associated with insects and poor awareness efforts. In order to understand the key elementsthat govern entomophagy in Africa, we conducted an online survey on edible insects in African countries anddocumented the importance of insects, cultures and believes associated to their use. We eventually looked at genderparticipation in entomophagy. Study showed that insect consumption can be restricted to one tribe, community or toa whole region. Distinct ethnic names of edible insects and their respective host plant presented in this study implythat entomophagy constitutes an important part of community livelihood and can be easily promoted. However, insects are mainly used as complementary food, and in very few occasions, as main food....
Entomophagy is an ancient practice viewed as a potential solution to food security and sustainabl... more Entomophagy is an ancient practice viewed as a potential solution to food security and sustainable ecosystemmanagement in Africa. However, its expansion is challenged by several factors including acculturation, urbanisationand lack of information. Knowledge on indigenous practices can contribute to refining ongoing research activities and stimulate the development of adequate technologies to guide research, business and policy in entomophagy. We documented indigenous practices using outcomes of an online survey conducted between 2013 and 2015 and intensive literature crowd sourcing. Edible insects are mainly collected from wild harvesting using different methods. Although respondents acknowledged the existence of rearing technologies, no comprehensive procedure wasdescribed. We found that after collection, the processing techniques for either consumption or commercialisation varied. Our survey revealed that sun drying was the most commonly used processing technique probably because ...
This special issue presents the outcomes from “Designing sustainable and circular agricultural sy... more This special issue presents the outcomes from “Designing sustainable and circular agricultural systems for the year 2100,” the joint scientific workshop of ISOFAR, the Thünen-Institute, and INRA-Morocco, which was held from November 14 to 16, 2019 in Marrakesh, Morocco. Nineteen scientists from a broad array of background and nationalities came together with the understanding that food security globally is at risk, especially in the post-2050 timeframe. Current concepts, strategies, measures, and scientific efforts carried out by governments, NGOs, businesses, and societies do not deliver satisfying solutions for how to sustainably produce enough healthy and affordable food to support the global population. With the economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, it became even more evident that food security is a challenge. This workshop took an innovative approach to addressing the challenges of future agriculture by considering sustainable, circular agricultural syst...
The present study is the first modeling effort at a global scale to predict habitat suitability o... more The present study is the first modeling effort at a global scale to predict habitat suitability of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda and its key parasitoids, namely Chelonus insularis, Cotesia marginiventris,Eiphosoma laphygmae,Telenomus remus and Trichogramma pretiosum, to be considered for biological control. An adjusted procedure of a machine-learning algorithm, the maximum entropy (Maxent), was applied for the modeling experiments. Model predictions showed particularly high establishment potential of the five hymenopteran parasitoids in areas that are heavily affected by FAW (like the coastal belt of West Africa from Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to Nigeria, the Congo basin to Eastern Africa, Eastern, Southern and Southeastern Asia and some portions of Eastern Australia) and those of potential invasion risks (western & southern Europe). These habitats can be priority sites for scaling FAW biocontrol efforts. In the context of global warming and the event of accidental FAW...
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) has rapidly spread in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)... more Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) has rapidly spread in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and has emerged as a major pest of maize and sorghum in the continent. For effective monitoring and a better understanding of the bioecology and management of this pest, a Community-based Fall Armyworm Monitoring, Forecasting, Early Warning and Management (CBFAMFEW) initiative was implemented in six eastern African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi). Over 650 Community Focal Persons (CFPs) who received training through the project were involved in data collection on adult moths, crop phenology, cropping systems, FAW management practices and other variables. Data collection was performed using Fall Armyworm Monitoring and Early Warning System (FAMEWS), a mobile application developed by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Data collected from the CBFAMFEW initiative in East Africa and other FAW monitoring efforts in Africa were...
In response to growing food demand, edible insects are seen as a potential source to alleviate fo... more In response to growing food demand, edible insects are seen as a potential source to alleviate food insecurity. With its wide edible insects’ biodiversity, the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in Africa. This study aimed at giving a first insight on the inventory showing diversity, perception, consumption, availability, host plants, harvesting techniques and processing techniques of edible insects in South-Kivu, DRC. It recorded twenty-three edible insects belonging to nine families and five orders, some of which are consumed in the larval, adult, egg and pupa stages. Rhyncophorus phoenicis, Alphitobius diaperinus, Macrotermes subhylanus and Acheta domesticus were the most preferred edible insects in Fizi Territory, Ruspolia differens and Apis melifera larvae in Kabare Territory, Imbrasia oyemensis, Imbrasia epimethea, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Rhyncophorus phoenicis in Mwenga Territory, Ruspolia differens, Macrotermes subhylanus, G...
Edible crickets are among the praised insects that are gaining recognition as human food and live... more Edible crickets are among the praised insects that are gaining recognition as human food and livestock feed with a potential of contributing to food security and reduction of malnutrition. Globally, the sustainable use of crickets as food or feed is undermined by lack of information on the number of the edible crickets, the country where they are consumed, and the developmental stages consumed. Furthermore, lack of data on their nutritional content and the potential risks to potential consumers limits their consumption or inclusion into other food sources. We reviewed published literature on edible cricket species, countries where they are consumed, and the stage at which they are consumed. We further reviewed information on their nutritional content, the safety of cricket consumption, and the sensory qualities of the edible crickets. We also looked at other benefits derived from the crickets, which include ethnomedicine, livestock feed, pest management strategies, contribution to e...
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Papers by Saliou Niassy