Knowledge and human consumption of Oxycatantops spissus (Walker, 1870) in the south part of Cameroon

Abstract

Edible insects are increasingly considered as alternative food sources against the protein-energy deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa. Oxycatantops spissus has been reported as an edible insect in Cameroon and Congo, but little is known about people perception, attitudes and uses of this acridian in Cameroon. This study was conducted in six localities in the Centre and Littoral regions of Cameroon with the aim to assess the level of knowledge of O. spissus and the reasons for its consumption or non-consumption. Total of 300 people composed at 53% men and 48% women, sampled using a non-probabilistic random route method, were interviewed. The study revealed that O. spissus is very well known in the south part of Cameroon (99.7% respondents). O. spissus is abundant throughout the year (71%), in farms (95%) where it feeds on leaves of Manihot esculenta (59%) and Zea mays (27%). The main reason of using O. spissus was its consumption (18%). The main reason for its consumption was its good taste (13%). However, most respondents refused to consume this insect because of cultural barriers (78%). O. spissus may constitute a new food source easily acceptable given its good taste, but its consumption is hindered by wrong idea people have about it, because they never experienced it as food. People need to overcome these barriers and change their paradigm to fully appreciate this food source. However, a study of the toxicity of O. spissus is required before it could be recommended as a suitable and reliable food source for human.