Use of plant compounds in grain protection has shown great potential as an alternative to synthetic insecticides in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the efficacy of Eucalyptus grandis and Tagetes minuta ground leaf powders as grain protectants against Sitophilus zeamais in stored maize. Effect of leaf powders were evaluated on percent germination, percent weight loss of grain, insect infestation, grain colour and odour over 192 days (≈six months) duration. Leaf powders (2.5 and 5 g/kg), synthetic pesticide (Actellic Chirindamatura dust (0.5 g/kg)) and an untreated control were used as treatments. All plant powders significantly minimized grain damage and infestation 96 days post treatment (≈three months) and had no effect on percent germination of maize grains when compared to controls. However, variable responses dependent upon botanical plant cultivars and rate of application were observed from three to six months after application. Grain colour and odour were not affected by plant powders over six months of storage. E. grandis and T. minuta significantly reduce grain damage and insect infestation with no adverse effects on seed germination, colour and odour hence can be used as sustainable alternatives to synthetic insecticides in maize storage especially by smallholder farmers.

Edible insects are nutritious with potential to improve nutritional outcomes and livelihoods in low-income countries. However, it is not clear whether consumption of edible insects is positively correlated with improved dietary diversity and food security indicators. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the relationship between consumption of edible insects and diet diversity and food security indicators among children and adults from Gwanda district, Matabeleland province in Southern Zimbabwe. The survey collected data on the following; household sociodemographic characteristics, household dietary diversity score (HDDS), food consumption score (FCS), and child dietary diversity score (CDDS). Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between edible insect consumption and food security indicators. A total of 303 households were surveyed. A high proportion were edible insect consumers (80.9%) and the rest non-consumers (19.1%). The most consumed insect was mopani worms (Gonimbrasia belina, madora, amacimbi) (74.8%). The consumption of mopani worms was highest in the age group 20-49 years (34.4%) and significantly associated with being married and age of the household head. There was no difference between the mean CDDS for consumers (5.9±1.7) and for non-consumers (6.0±2.0) (p=0.802). The median (IQR) FCS for consumers was lower at 49 (35, 65) than for non-consumers 53 (36.5, 64). This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.526). There also was no difference between the average HDDS for consuming households (6.2±1.7) and for non-consuming households 6.2±1.5 (p=0.866). There was no significant association between consumption of edible insects and CDDS (p=0.802), HDDS (p=0.866), and FCS (p=0.585). In conclusion, this study showed that Gonimbrasia belina (mopani worms, madora, amacimbi) were the commonly consumed insect mostly as relish due to their palatable taste. Overall, the consumption of edible insects did not seem to improve diet diversity and food security indicators in this setting. National level studies with bigger sample sizes that investigate the contribution of edible insects to overall nutrient intake and dietary diversity are required. Furthermore, interventions to promote the consumption of edible insects, including their commercialization should adopt a social ecological approach to maximise impact. Key words: Entomophagy, food security, mopani worms, stunting, gender, Zimbabwe