Trapping, identification and rearing of edible palm weevils in Kenya and Uganda

Results of this study can be used to guide an integrated Rhynchophorus phoenicis management system with a dual benefit of protecting plants from a weevil attack, and utilizing the weevils to improve human nutrition. Palm weevil trapping, without insecticides, could double as a pest management technique as well as a source of edible palm weevil. Palm weevils, Rhynchophorus (Coleoptera) are devastating invasive pests of palms, and as well, delicacies in many communities. This study evaluated ethylacetate and 3-methyly-octan-4-ol for trapping palm weevils from coconut, oil and raffia palms in Kenya and Uganda; taking into account the distance of traps on oil palm from a forest of raffia palm.German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and DevelopmentAustralian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)Federal Democratic Republic of EthiopiaGovernment of the Republic of Keny

Global overview of locusts as food, feed and other uses

This review assesses the potential of harnessing locust swarms for beneficial uses as a more sustainable management strategy than using pesticides. As well, it highlights the global distribution of locust species; their nutritional value; historical practices of their use as food, feed and other applications; harvesting technologies; and regulatory framework. Locusts have traditionally been consumed by humans or fed to animals for millennia. The nutritional composition is comparable or superior to that of conventional meat. They are potential raw materials for chitin, oil and nutraceutical products. Safety concerns in the beneficial use of locusts are insecticides, allergens and microbial contaminants.Australian Centre for International Agricultural ResearchNorwegian Agency for Development CooperationBioinnovate Africa Programme through SIDARockefeller FoundationUnited Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development OfficeSwedish International Development Cooperation AgencySwiss Agency for Development and CooperationFederal Democratic Republic of EthiopiaGovernment of the Republic of Keny

Edible crickets (Orthoptera) around the world: distribution, nutritional value, and other benefits - a review

Open Access Journal; Published online: 12 Jan 2021Edible 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 economic development, and livelihood improvement, particularly in terms of use as food preservatives and use within music, sports, and cultural entomology. Lastly, we reviewed information on the farming of edible crickets. In this review, we report over 60 cricket species that are consumed in 49 countries globally. Nutritionally, crickets are reported to be rich in proteins, ranging from 55 to 73%, and lipids, which range from 4.30 to 33.44% of dry matter. The reported amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is 58% of the total fatty acids. Edible crickets contain an appreciable amount of macro- and micro-mineral elements such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper. Also, the crickets are rich in the required amount of vitamins such as B group vitamins and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. Overall, the cricket species examined in this review are safe to be consumed, and they display high proximate content that can replace plant and livestock products. The crickets play valuable roles in contributing to the economies of many countries and livelihoods, and they have medicinal and social benefits. This review is expected to promote greater recognition of crickets as a source of food, feed, and other benefits in the world and encourage up-scaling by farming them for sustainable utilization

Cuestiones reglamentarias, ambientales y de inocuidad, relacionadas con la cría y el comercio internacional de insectos comestibles en África

Insect breeding or farming for food and feed is an emerging enterprise that can address the ever-growing demand for protein and curb high unemployment rates in Africa and beyond. However, for the sector to prosper, its value chain needs to be regulated to ensure sustainability and safety for consumers and the environment. Although a few African countries, such as Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, have promulgated standards on the use of insects as food and feed, greater efforts are needed in other countries, and relevant policies governing the sector need to be formulated. All over the globe, attention to the regulation of the edible insect sector is increasing, and more investment in the in- dustry is foreseen. Safety issues such as identifying which species should be reared, substrate quality and traceability imposed by importing countries will be critical for expansion of the sector. This paper analyses safety, regulatory and environmental issues related to breeding and international trade of edible insects in Africa and provides case studies and recommendations for sustainable use of insects for food and feed.La cría o producción de insectos con fines de alimentación humana o animal es una actividad incipiente que puede ayudar a responder a la siempre creciente demanda de proteínas y a contener las elevadas tasas de desempleo de África y otras regiones. Para que el sector prospere, no obstante, es preciso reglamentar su cadena de valor a fin de asegurar su sostenibilidad y su inocuidad para el consumidor y el medio ambiente. Aunque unos pocos países africanos, como Kenia, Uganda o Ruanda, tienen promulgadas normas sobre el uso de insectos para la alimentación humana o la producción de piensos, aún hay que redoblar esfuerzos en otros países y formular políticas que ordenen el sector. En todo el planeta se presta hoy una atención sin precedentes a la regulación del sector de los insectos comestibles, un sector que previsiblemente va a recibir cada vez más inversiones. Las cuestiones ligadas a la inocuidad, como la identidad de los insectos que se van a producir, la calidad del substrato o la rastreabilidad impuesta por los países importadores, serán fundamentales para el desarrollo del sector. Los autores analizan las cuestiones reglamentarias, ambientales y de inocuidad que se plantean en relación con la cría y el comercio internacional de insectos comesti- bles en África, presentan ejemplos concretos y formulan recomendaciones para un uso sostenible de los insectos con fines de alimentación humana o animal.Les élevages et les fermes d’insectes destinés à l’alimentation humaine et animale sont de nouvelles entreprises qui pourraient répondre à la hausse continue de la demande en protéines tout en réduisant les taux élevés du chômage en Afrique et ailleurs. Néanmoins, pour que ce secteur puisse prospérer, sa chaîne de création de valeur doit être réglementée afin de garantir sa durabilité et son innocuité pour les consommateurs et l’environnement. Si un petit nombre de pays africains dont le Kenya, l’Ouganda et le Rwanda ont élaboré des normes applicables à l’utilisation des insectes pour l’alimentation humaine et animale, dans d’autres pays les efforts doivent se poursuivre et des politiques appropriées doivent être mises en place pour régir ce secteur. Partout dans le monde, la réglementation du secteur des insectes comestibles fait désormais l’objet d’une attention considérable et des investissements accrus dans la filière sont attendus. Les questions de sécurité telles que l’identi- fication des insectes à élever, la qualité du substrat et la traçabilité exigée par les pays importateurs seront cruciales pour le développement du secteur. Les auteurs analysent les questions de sécurité et les enjeux réglementaires et environnementaux liés à l’élevage et au commerce international d’insectes comestibles en Afrique et présentent des études de cas et des recommandations pour une utilisation durable des insectes destinés à l’alimentation humaine et animale.Denmark’s development cooperation DANIDA through the project Healthynsect and the icipe core fund- ing provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; the South African National Research Foundation; and the Government of the Republic of Kenya.https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/publications/scientific-and-technical-reviewhj2023Zoology and Entomolog