Table 6. Most consumed insects as food resources traditionally in Africa

Country Scientific and common name of consumed insects Consumed type
Nigeria Macrotermes natalensos Termite Adult
Microtermes bellicosus Termite Adult
Brachytrupes membranaceus Locust Adult
Nezara viridula Stinkbug Adult
Anaphe reticulate Reticulate bagnet Larvae
Cirina forda Pallid emperor moth Larvae
Anaphe venata African silkworm Larvae
Oryctes monocerus Palm beetle Larvae
Rhynchophorus phoenicis Palm weevil Larvae
Analeptes trifasciata Stem girdler Larvae
Oryctes boas Rhinoceros beetle Larvae
Oryctes monoceros Rhinoceros beetle Larvae
Aphodius rufipes Dung beetle Larvae
Heteroligus meles Yam beetle Larvae
Apis mellifera Honey bee Egg, larvae, pupa, honey
Brachytrupes membranaceus Giant African cricket Adult
Gymnogryllus lucens Cricket Adult
Cytacanthacris naeruginosus Short horned grasshopper Adult
Zonocerus variegatus Grasshopper Adult
Gryllotalpa africana Mole cricket Adult
Uganda Macrotermes spp. Termites Adult
Ruspolia nitidula Grasshopper Adult
Chaoborus edulis Lake fly Adult
Ruspolia differens Grasshopper Adult
Congo Oryctes owariensis Rhinoceros beetle Larvae
Anaphe panda Silkmoth Larvae
Termites Adult
Bees Egg, larvae, pupa, honey
Kenya Pseudacanthotermes militaris Winged termite Adult
Macrotermes bellicosus Winged termite Adult
Macrotermes subhylanus Winged termite Adult
Pseudacanthotermes spiniger Winged termite Adult
Carebara vidua Black ant Adult
Ruspolia differens Grasshopper Adult
Sources: DeFoliart (1999), Mutungi et al. (2019), Raheem et al. (2018).