A Study of Entomophagy in Mogonono in Kweneng District, Botswana

Abstract

A study was undertaken to document insects used for human consumption in Mogonono in Kweneng District of Botswana. Thirty respondents were randomly selected and interviewed. Data were collected through informal interviews and direct observation. Results showed that 22 insects belonging to 10 families and four orders (i.e., Lepidoptera, coleoptera, isoptera and hymenoptera) were used for human consumption. The order Lepidoptera was the most predominantly consumed. The eight most consumed insects in descending order were Agrius convolvuli L. (90.00%), Sternocera orissa Buq. (60.00%), Cirina forda Westwood (56.67%), Imbrasia belina Westwood (53.33%), Carebara vidua F. Smith (53.33%), Acrida acuminata Dirsh (36.67%), lehakgala (36.67%) and Locusta migratoria (33.33%). Insects are available as human food immediately after the rainy season, indicating that their availability as food is seasonal. The common methods of preparing insect specimens for human consumption were roasting, boiling and frying. These results showed that insects play an important role in nutrition security and food security of the rural poor.