Abstract
This study examined the knowledge on functional value of edible insect in per urban communities of Ijebu Ode Local Government Area (LGA) in Ogun State. Sixty residents were selected through purposive sampling from 11 communities in the LGA. Primary data collected through administered questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics such as simple percentage and frequency count were used. Hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The results revealed that about half (48.3%) of the respondents were between 31-40 years. A larger percentage was male (61.7%) and Christian (61.7%). Majority (68%) was married and 63.3% possess tertiary education. About one third of the respondents (33.3%) were civil servants and 28.3% earn between ₦41,000-₦60,000. Cricket, termite, palm weevil, yam beetle, caterpillar, silkworm, and locust respectively were the identified indigenous species of insects being consumed by the people. Also, more of the respondents eat crickets followed by locust and then termites. The results further revealed respondents’ knowledge of functional values of edible insects’ consumption and constraints to edible insects’ consumption. The results of the Pearson Product Moment Correlation revealed that there is no significant relationship between respondent’s socio-economic characteristics’ and their edible insect consumption at p < 0.05. This study concludes that residents of peri urban communities have good knowledge of functional values of edible insects. It is therefore recommended that there should be more awareness on consumption of edible insects since it is nutritious so that people can benefit from the numerous nutrients of these edible insects.
 Key words: functional value, edible insect, Ijebu Ode, pearson product moment correlation
Highlights
Insects constitute as much as 80% of the animal kingdom
A number of insect or their products were used as food in some parts of Nigeria and to a large extent eaten as titbits exclusively by children
Since majority of the respondents here are not farmers, the edible insect consumption cannot be adjudged to be due to their occupation or environment
Summary
Insects constitute as much as 80% of the animal kingdom. They present an important seasonal source of proteins and are a common part of the menu of a substantial part of human population. Hundreds of insect species have been used as human food, some of the more important groups include grasshopper, caterpillars, beetle grubs and sometimes adults, winged termites (some of which are very large in the tropics), bee, wasp, and ant brood (larvae and pupae) as well as winged ants, cicadas and a variety of aquatic insects. The most commonly consumed insects according to FAO (2013) include 31% beetles (Coleoptera); 18% caterpillars (Lepidoptera), 14% bees, wasps and ants (Hymenoptera); 13% grasshoppers, locusts and crickets (Orthoptera); 10% cicadas, leafhoppers, plant-hoppers, scale insects and true bugs (Hemiptera); 3% termites (Isoptera); dragonflies (Odonata); 2% flies (Diptera); and others (5%). Insects are often consumed whole but can be processed into granular or paste forms (Ekpo, 2011)
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