Edible and medicinal termites: a global overview

Figueirêdo, Rozzanna Esther Cavalcanti Reis de; Vasconcellos, Alexandre; Policarpo, Iamara Silva; Alves, Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega

doi:10.1186/s13002-015-0016-4

Cited by 82 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Other anecdotal reports in the study area were that traditional healers used powdered termites in their traditional medicines to cure diseases and injuries. Figueirêdo et al 38 documented the use of M. nigeriensis in Nigeria for the treatment of wounds and illness in pregnant women.…”

Section: Termite Consumptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human uses and indigenous knowledge of edible termites in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Netshifhefhe¹,

Kunjeku²,

Duncan³

2018

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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Termites are a good food source, being rich in proteins, fats, vitamins and many essential mineral nutrients, and thus provide food security for poor households. We report on a survey conducted in the Vhembe District Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa, to identify edible termite species and find out how they are harvested, prepared, graded, packaged and marketed. We also looked at the socio-economic factors of the harvesters, marketers and consumers. Using a structured questionnaire, 104 individuals were interviewed from 48 villages. Most of the harvesters were over the age of 60 years but termites are consumed by the whole family. The results of the survey revealed that only three termite species are consumed: soldiers of Macrotermes falciger (89.90%), M. natalensis (8.08%) and M. michaelseni (2.02%). The preferred method of preparation was frying (77.55% of the respondents). At least 80.77% of the respondents indicated that some religions have restrictions on termite consumption but no ethnic restrictions were reported. The income derived from selling termites was estimated to range from ZAR2040 to ZAR17 680 per annum between April 2015 and April 2016. The results of this study showed that edible termites contribute significantly to the livelihoods of many rural families and this indigenous knowledge should be passed on to younger generations. Research on the sustainability of termite harvesting is recommended.

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Section: Termite Consumptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human uses and indigenous knowledge of edible termites in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Netshifhefhe¹,

Kunjeku²,

Duncan³

2018

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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“…In recent years, in the United States, there has been an increasing interest in insect-based food products [27]. More than 2000 insect species and other small invertebrates are consumed as food by humans and animals alike [40] and used for either self-sufficiency or commercial food products in many parts of the world.…”

Section: Kalotermes Flavicollismentioning

confidence: 99%

Selected Edible Insects and Their Products in Traditional Medicine, Food and Pharmaceutical Industries in Africa: Utilisation and Prospects

Jideani¹,

Netshiheni²

2017

Future Foods

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Edible insects are a widely exploited food source by many indigenous populations in most regions of the world. Edible insects have been used as food in sub-Saharan Africa, being a good source of protein and essential amino acid. Historically, they are important contributors to improving food and nutrition security, particularly for people who suffer from malnutrition due to protein deficiency. Africa is the continent with the highest number of records (19 countries), followed by the USA (5 countries) and Asia (5 countries). The species used for food and as feed include Hodotermitidae, Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae. Insects, such as termites, are also eaten raw directly on emergence from the holes. Species used in traditional popular medicine include Hodotermitidae and Termitidae. They are used in the treatment of various diseases that affect humans such as influenza, asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, sinusitis, tonsillitis and hoarseness.

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“…Termites are widely consumed by people from all over the world because they provide the relevant amount of organic nutrients [64]. As already mentioned by farmers, edible termites in Africa are represented by the Macrotermes species [65].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Farmers’ perception of termites in agriculture production and their indigenous utilization in Northwest Benin

Loko

Orobiyi

Agre

et al. 2017

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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BackgroundAlthough termites are considered as agricultural pests, they play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem. Therefore, it matters to investigate the farmers’ perception of the impacts of the termites on the agriculture and their indigenous utilization.MethodsA semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 94 farmers through 10 villages of Atacora department, in the northwestern region of Benin, to obtain information for the development of successful strategies of termite management and conservation. Their perceptions on the importance and management of termites along with the indigenous nomenclature and utilization of termite mounds were assessed. Termite species identified by farmers were collected and preserved in 80% alcohol for identification.ResultsEight crops were identified by farmers as susceptible to termites with maize, sorghum, and yam as being the most susceptible. According to farmers, the susceptibility to termites of these crops is due to their high-water content and sweet taste. A total of 27 vernacular names of termites were recorded corresponding to 10 species, Amitermes evuncifer, Macrotermes subhyalinus, and Trinervitermes oeconomus being the most damaging termite species. All the names given to termite species had a meaning. The drought was identified by farmers as the main factor favouring termite attacks. Demolition of termite mounds in the fields was the most commonly reported control method. Salt and other pesticides were commonly used by farmers to protect stored farm products. The lack of effective control methods is the main constraint for termite management. In northwestern Benin, farmers reported different purpose utilizations of termite mounds and termites.ConclusionsThe study has shown that farmers perceived termites as pests of several agricultural crops and apply various indigenous control practices whose efficiency need to be verified. Utilization of termites and termite mound soil as food and medicinal resources underlines the need for a more focused approach to termite control for the conservation of non-pest termite species. The sensitization of farmers on the importance of termites as well as the development of an integrated control method to combat termite pests proved necessary.

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Edible and medicinal termites: a global overview

Cited by 82 publications

References 75 publications

Human uses and indigenous knowledge of edible termites in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Human uses and indigenous knowledge of edible termites in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Selected Edible Insects and Their Products in Traditional Medicine, Food and Pharmaceutical Industries in Africa: Utilisation and Prospects

Farmers’ perception of termites in agriculture production and their indigenous utilization in Northwest Benin

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