ETHNO-ZOOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF THE VALUE OF INSECTS AMONG THE IJEBUS. (SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA)

An ethnozoological survey of insects among Ijebu people of Ogun State was carried out to examine the importance of insects and their by- products in the life and economy of the people. 260 questionnaires were administered among the rural based traditionalist and farmers majorly who fell between the age of 56 and above. 75% of the people confirmed the nutritive value of Macrotermes nigeriense while 70.4% reported the consumption of Anaphae sp as food items, 82.3% and 90% of the people confirmed the nutritional importance of Macrotermes belliscossus and Anaphae sp respectively. Other insects consumed for nutritional purposes are Mallodon downesi, Pupae of scarabaedae beetles and Brachytrypes sp despite certain taboos attached to the utilization of Brachytrypes sp; Macrotermes nigeriense and Anapleptes trifaciata equally, Apis mellifera; Anapleptes trifaciata; Brachytrypes sp; Macrotermes nigeriense; Camponotini brutus and Cryptothelia rougeoti are useful items for ritual purposes; while periplaneta americana; Macrotermes nigeriense; camponotini brutus; Brachytrypes sp; & Musca domestica are essential materials for healing wounds, curing of ailments, spiritual protection, preparation of aphrodisiac for women and potency medicine for males. KEY WORDS: Ethnozoological, Insects, Nutritive value, Ritual, Nigeria. Global Jnl Pure & Applied Sciences Vol.10(1) 2004: 1-

An ethno-zoological survey of insects and their allies among the remos (Ogun State) South Western Nigeria

The research was carried out to study the socio-economic  characteristic of the Remos of Ogan State of Ngeria; to determine their relationship with insects which they regard as edible, which theyuse for rituals and which they use for medicinal purposes.Two hundred and eighty-five questionnaires were administered. The data collected was analysed by using frequency counts and percentages. Common edible insects were found to include termites(Macrotermes bellicossus), cricket (Brachytrypes sp) and (Analeptes trifaciata). The insects used for rituals and medicinal purposes include the butterfly used for making love portion; Cryptotheliarongeoti used as a defense against any evil; Brachytrypes sp, Lycosa sp and Apis melifera used for good fortune. The honey bee (Apis melifera) is used to prevent dizziness, while the sting of Ant is usedfor healing wound, curing of impotence in males and is also used as a cure for “thunderbolt”. The study found that in this community insects are valuable for both food and medicinal purposes. It recommends that more work on medicinal and nutritional value of these insects be undertaken