Abstract
Simple SummaryThe article explains how beetles are used, perceived, and experienced in daily life across sub-Saharan Africa. More than 300 people from 27 countries were interviewed. The results were compared with findings in the scientific literature. Many beetle species are eaten, both as adults and larvae. Young girls use water beetles to stimulate breast growth. Blister beetles contain a substance that is used as an aphrodisiac and for treating venereal disease. Throughout Africa children play with beetles by letting them fly at the end of a string. In the Sahel dung beetles are predominant, and there are stories relating to how hard they work to remove dung. The magical glowing fireflies are associated with ghosts and witches. Many beetle groups are brightly and attractively coloured, and are therefore used in ceremonies, as ornaments, and in commerce. However, urbanisation is resulting in the rapid disappearance of this type of indigenous knowledge. An overview is given of how beetles are utilised, perceived, and experienced in daily life across sub-Saharan Africa. More than 300 people from 27 countries were interviewed and the results were compared with literature findings. Both the adults and larvae of many beetle species are eaten, mainly from the families Curculionidae, Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Dytiscidae and Scarabaeidae. Some beetle species are used for medicinal purposes. The use of breast-shaped water beetles by adolescent girls to stimulate breast growth could be due to superstition or the effect of the defensive secretion containing steroid hormones. Blister beetles contain cantharidin, which influences the urinary tract, and is therefore used as an aphrodisiac and for treating venereal disease. Throughout Africa children play with beetles by letting them fly on a string. In the Sahel, the hard work of dung beetles is an inspiration for stories. Fireflies are generally associated with ghosts and witches, likely because the glowing of the beetles is interpreted as magical. Many beetle groups are brightly and attractively coloured and are therefore used in ceremonies and commerce. This type of indigenous knowledge, revealed in stories provided by older people, is rapidly disappearing due to urbanisation.
Highlights
Beetles belong to the order of the Coleoptera, with 376,363 described species in
Both the adults and the larvae of the Coleoptera are used as food
There are articles that deal with the cultural significance of beetles around the world, e.g., Clifford [13], but when it concerns Africa reference is often only made to the scarab beetle of Egypt
Summary
Beetles belong to the order of the Coleoptera, with 376,363 described species in43,260 genera; it is the largest order on earth, containing 34.2% of all insect species [1].These holometabolous insects have a great anatomical and behavioural diversity. Beetles belong to the order of the Coleoptera, with 376,363 described species in. 43,260 genera; it is the largest order on earth, containing 34.2% of all insect species [1]. These holometabolous insects have a great anatomical and behavioural diversity. Fungivores and carnivores, both in adult and larval stages. There are two suborders, the Adephaga and the Polyphaga. From the Adephaga the most frequently mentioned families in the interviews are the Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae, and Carabidae. From the Polyphaga, the largest suborder considering all described species, the families most frequently mentioned are Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Chrysomelidae, Curculionidae, Lampyridae, Meloidae, Scarabaeidae and Tenebrionidae. We will briefly describe the different families and use the Global Biodiversity Information Facility website [1]
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