campeophagy, edible caterpillar, host plant, feeding, Republic of the Congo.
Abstract :
[en] A systematic study of edible caterpillars and their host plants was carried out in different departments and localities of the Republic of the Congo. Twenty-nine (29) species of edible caterpillars were identified, of which 22 were determined to species level, i.e., namely 75.9 % of the species collected. The dominance of the Saturniidae and Notodontidae taxonomic families was established. The botanical study of the hosting plants revealed 90 plant species, belonging to 26 botanical families. The Fabaceae family was predominant (with a total of 33 species or 36.7% out of 90), followed by the Phyllanthaceae family (11,1%). Climate change could likely cause a light decrease of the host plants population by the year 2050. This information aims to guide conservation efforts and ensure sustainable use of edible caterpillars as food. It is recommended to particularly focus on the promotion of semi-domestication of edible caterpillars and awareness raising on cultivation techniques of host plants.
Disciplines :
Entomology & pest control
Author, co-author :
Mabossy-Mobouna, Germain; Teacher-Researcher, Laboratoire de Nutrition et d’Alimentation Humaines, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Marien Ngouabi, Congo Brazzaville. Unité de Recherche Nutrition, Santé et Motricité Humaine, Institut Supérieur d’Education Physique et Sportive, Université Marien Ngouabi, Congo Brazzaville
Ombeni, Justin B.; Teacher-Researcher, Département de Nutrition et Diététique, Institut Supérieur de Techniques Médicales de Bukavu, Sud Kivu, R.D. Congo. Laboraroire d’Entomologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles de Lwiro, CRSN, Bukavu, Sud-Kivu, R.D. Congo.
Bouyer, Thierry; Independent researcher, 57 rue Genot B 4022 Chênée, Belgium.
Latham, Paul; Retired Officer of the Salvation Army, U.K.
Bisaux, Frank; No recent contact and no email address available
Bocquet, Evelyne ; Université de Liège - ULiège ; Bioengineer in Management of Forests and Natural Areas, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Université de Liège, Centre d’Enseignement et de Recherche Terra, Forest is Life, Passage des Déportés,2, B-5030, Gembloux (Belgique).
Brinck, Bertie; No recent contact and no email address available
Konda Ku Mbuta, Augustin; Biologist, Research Institut in Health Sciences (I.R.S.S.), Kinshasa, D.R. Congo.
Madamo Malasi, Françoise ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre ; Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive
Nkulu Ngoie, Louisa; Manager of a farm at Kafindo village in the vicinity of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tabi Eckebil, Paule Pamela; Research Assistant, CIFOR-ICRAF, Value Chain Finance and Investments (VFI) Team, CIFOR-ICRAF, Yaoundé-Cameroon.
Malaisse, François ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Biodiversité et Paysage ; Professor emeritus, Biodiversity and Landscape Unit, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Liège University, Belgium. Meise Botanical Garden, Belgium.
Language :
English
Title :
Diversity of edible caterpillars and their host plants in the Republic of the Congo
Alternative titles :
[fr] Diversité des chenilles comestibles et de leurs plantes hôtes en République du Congo
Original title :
[en] Diversity of edible caterpillars and their host plants in the Republic of the Congo
