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Observations of entomophagy across Benin – practices and potentials

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An Erratum to this article was published on 06 February 2016

Abstract

Food security is a critical issue for many low-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Appropriately identifying and utilising local resources can provide sustainable solutions to food security problems. Insects, which are traditionally consumed in many regions of the world, represent one such resource. Insects can be nutritionally rich and therefore could be used to address issues of malnutrition. A first step towards utilising insects as a resource is identifying which ones are traditionally consumed. We present data collected between 2005 and 2012 on insects eaten by communities across Benin, West Africa. A combination of literature research, field collections, community focus groups and targeted interviews were employed. Data on four ethnic groups is presented: the Anii, Fon, Nagot and Waama. Twenty-nine arthropods species are eaten across Benin. The predominant orders are Orthoptera (48 %) and Coleoptera (41 %). New families of edible arthropods in West Africa include: Bradyporidae (Orthoptera), Coreidae (Hemiptera), Dytiscidae (Coleoptera), Ixodidae (Acari). Insect collection is an ancestral tradition in all the described communities: however, there are considerable differences in preferences and collection methods among ethnic groups. Currently there is little valorisation of insects as a food product in Benin, in contrast to neighbouring countries. In light of considerable malnutrition in Benin among young children, promoting this tradition and implementing small scale captive rearing of selected species could improve food security.

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Notes

  1. Malnutrition is defined by the World Food Programme as ‘state in which the physical function of an individual is impaired (due to poor nutrition) to the point where he or she can no longer maintain natural bodily capacities’ (WFP 2014).

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to the all communities that participated to this study. Special thanks to Severin Tchibozo, who inspired this research and contributed personal information. Thanks to Drs Priuli G.B. Florent and Aouanou Guy Basile from the Hospital St Jean de Dieu, Tanguieta, for their time and interest. Thanks also to Drs Razack Adeoti, Rousseau Djouaka, Gbangboche Armand Bienvenu and Polycarpe Kayode for generously donating their time and knowledge. We would also like to thank Imperial College London Exploration board, The Royal Entomological Society, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Museum Royal de l’Afrique Centrale and private donors for the funding of this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden

    L. G. Riggi

  2. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Biodiversity Centre, Cotonou, Benin

    G. Goergen

  3. Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

    R. L. Verspoor

  4. Building and Social Housing Foundation (BSHF), Coalville, UK

    M. Veronesi

  5. Bugs for Life, Charity, Edinburgh, UK

    C. MacFarlane

Authors
  1. L. G. Riggi
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  2. M. Veronesi
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  3. G. Goergen
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  4. C. MacFarlane
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  5. R. L. Verspoor
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Correspondence to L. G. Riggi.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors contributions

Conceived and designed the study LR, RLV, MV. Performed the fieldwork LR, RLV, MV, CM. Wrote the paper, LR, RLV, MV, GG.

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Riggi, L.G., Veronesi, M., Goergen, G. et al. Observations of entomophagy across Benin – practices and potentials. Food Sec. 8, 139–149 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-015-0509-y

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