Effects of defoliation by the edible caterpillar “chitoumou” ( Cirina butyrospermi ) on harvests of shea ( Vitellaria paradoxa ) and growth of maize ( Zea mays )

Abstract: Edible insects are found in agricultural systems worldwide, and are an important source of food and income. However, many edible insects are also pests of important food crops, which raises the question of how far their presence might be costly to farmers in terms of reduced crop yields. In this study we aimed to understand the impact of defoliation of shea trees by edible caterpillars on yields of shea and maize in a mixed agroforestry system in Burkina Faso, West Africa. We collected field data in two consecutive years. Our results suggest that tree defoliation by caterpillars has no effect on shea fruit yields, and that defoliation may have a positive effect on maize productivity. We conclude that this appears to be an example of an agricultural system in which nutritionally and economically important plants and insects are both harvested by humans without risking yield reductions of harvested plants

Post-malnutrition growth and its associations with child survival and non-communicable disease risk: A secondary analysis of the Malawi 'ChroSAM' cohort

OBJECTIVE: Explore patterns of post-malnutrition growth (PMGr) during and after treatment for severe malnutrition, and describe associations with survival and non-communicable disease (NCD) risk seven years post-treatment. DESIGN: Six indicators of PMGr were derived based on a variety of timepoints, weight, weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) and height-for-age z-score (HAZ). Three categorisation methods included: no categorisation, quintiles, and latent class analysis (LCA). Associations with mortality risk, and seven NCD indicators were analysed. SETTING: Secondary data from Blantyre, Malawi between 2006 and 2014. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 1024 children treated for severe malnutrition (weight-for-length z-score <70% median and/or MUAC<110 mm and/or bilateral oedema) at aged 5 to 168 months. RESULTS: Faster weight gain during treatment (g/day) and after treatment (g/kg/day) were associated with lower risk of death (aOR 0.99, 95%CI 0.99 to 1.00; and aOR 0.91, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.94 respectively). In survivors (mean age 9 years), it was associated with greater hand grip strength (0.02, 95%CI 0.00 to 0.03) and larger HAZ (6.62, 95%CI 1.31 to 11.9), both indicators of better health. However, faster weight gain was also associated with increased waist:hip ratio (0.02, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.03), an indicator of later life NCD risk. The clearest patterns of association were seen when defining PMGr based on weight gain in g/day during treatment and using the LCA method to describe growth patterns. Weight deficit at admission was a major confounder. CONCLUSIONS: A complex pattern of benefits and risks is associated with faster PMGr. Both initial weight deficit and rate of weight gain have important implications for future health

The contribution of ‘chitoumou’, the edible caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi, to the food security of smallholder farmers in southwestern Burkina Faso

Abstract: Edible insects have been advocated as a means to combat food insecurity, which is prevalent in West Africa. In this study we look at the contribution of the shea caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi, colloquially known as ‘chitoumou’, to the food security of smallholder households in rural southwestern Burkina Faso. We used a mixed methods approach to understand the relationship between caterpillar collection, consumption, and sale by smallholder households, and their seasonal food security status. We found that caterpillars are an important source of food and income for households, significantly increasing the household consumption of animal protein and, with shea nuts, representing the main income source for the majority of women. We also found that food security is higher during caterpillar season, and that household-level food security during this season can be predicted by the amount of caterpillars collected, consumed and sold. However, this relationship holds only during the caterpillar season, suggesting that the positive impact of caterpillars on food security is temporally limited. We conclude that the shea caterpillar is an example of an edible insect that is crucial for seasonal food security in a widespread agricultural system

Post-malnutrition growth and its associations with child survival and non-communicable disease risk: a secondary analysis of the Malawi 'ChroSAM' cohort

OBJECTIVE: To explore patterns of post-malnutrition growth (PMGr) during and after treatment for severe malnutrition and describe associations with survival and non-communicable disease (NCD) risk 7 years post-treatment. DESIGN: Six indicators of PMGr were derived based on a variety of timepoints, weight, weight-for-age z-score and height-for-age z-score (HAZ). Three categorisation methods included no categorisation, quintiles and latent class analysis (LCA). Associations with mortality risk and seven NCD indicators were analysed. SETTING: Secondary data from Blantyre, Malawi between 2006 and 2014. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 1024 children treated for severe malnutrition (weight-for-length z-score < 70 % median and/or MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference) < 110 mm and/or bilateral oedema) at ages 5-168 months. RESULTS: Faster weight gain during treatment (g/d) and after treatment (g/kg/day) was associated with lower risk of death (adjusted OR 0·99, 95 % CI 0·99, 1·00; and adjusted OR 0·91, 95 % CI 0·87, 0·94, respectively). In survivors (mean age 9 years), it was associated with greater hand grip strength (0·02, 95 % CI 0·00, 0·03) and larger HAZ (6·62, 95 % CI 1·31, 11·9), both indicators of better health. However, faster weight gain was also associated with increased waist:hip ratio (0·02, 95 % CI 0·01, 0·03), an indicator of later-life NCD risk. The clearest patterns of association were seen when defining PMGr based on weight gain in g/d during treatment and using the LCA method to describe growth patterns. Weight deficit at admission was a major confounder. CONCLUSIONS: A complex pattern of benefits and risks is associated with faster PMGr. Both initial weight deficit and rate of weight gain have important implications for future health

The nutritional role of insects as food: a case study of 'chitoumou' (Cirina butyrospermi), an edible caterpillar in rural Burkina Faso

Insects are frequently promoted as a nutritious food. Yet they are a diverse class, and few data are available on their dietary role. In this paper, we present novel data on the nutritional role of ‘chitoumou’, the edible caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi, in the diet of rural smallholder farmers in southwestern Burkina Faso. We collected detailed dietary data via 24-h recall interviews (n=64), which we conducted with women who were predominantly responsible for making decisions on food preparation for their households (n=16) during and out of caterpillar season. We found that ethnicity did not predict caterpillar consumption. Diets that contained caterpillars were richer in protein (P<0.05) and calcium (P<0.05), key nutrients for combating malnutrition in this region. We conclude that edible insects play an important nutritional role among smallholder communities in southwestern Burkina Faso, but that more data are required to confirm the bioavailability of nutrients found in caterpillars, the effect of the cooking process on caterpillar nutritional quality and consequent health outcomes for people that consume them. To inform policy and the way in which insects are promoted as food, it is imperative that further research is done to quantify the nutritional role of edible insects in current human diets

The contribution of ‘chitoumou’, the edible caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi, to the food security of smallholder farmers in southwestern Burkina Faso

Abstract: Edible insects have been advocated as a means to combat food insecurity, which is prevalent in West Africa. In this study we look at the contribution of the shea caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi, colloquially known as ‘chitoumou’, to the food security of smallholder households in rural southwestern Burkina Faso. We used a mixed methods approach to understand the relationship between caterpillar collection, consumption, and sale by smallholder households, and their seasonal food security status. We found that caterpillars are an important source of food and income for households, significantly increasing the household consumption of animal protein and, with shea nuts, representing the main income source for the majority of women. We also found that food security is higher during caterpillar season, and that household-level food security during this season can be predicted by the amount of caterpillars collected, consumed and sold. However, this relationship holds only during the caterpillar season, suggesting that the positive impact of caterpillars on food security is temporally limited. We conclude that the shea caterpillar is an example of an edible insect that is crucial for seasonal food security in a widespread agricultural system