Indigenous knowledge interaction network between host plants and edible insects in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Abstract

Globally, nearly two billion people consume approximately 2,111 species of insects, 92% of which are harvested directly from their natural ecosystems. However, intensifying insect harvesting causes ecological alterations and biodiversity loss. In the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Kichwa people are the primary consumers of insects. Thus, this study characterised the diversity of edible insects, host plants, and cultural significance among two peri-urban Kichwa communities. We used photo-elicitation, free-listing, semi-structured interviews, and in situ walk-in-the-woods to identify relevant edible insects. Then, we used species accumulation curves, the Salience Smith Index (SSI), ecological interaction networks, and extinction models to assess insect-host species interactions and cultural significance. We registered 19 edible insect species from three orders and six families. Furthermore, we reported two new species for the world list of edible insects and one for the Ecuadorian list. Ten insect species were associated with 21 host plant species. The interaction between the Rhynchophorus palmarum beetle and the Bactris gasipaes palm tree had the highest cultural significance (SSI>0.18, P<0.05). Furthermore, we found that 30% of the insect species and 52% of the host plant species (of which 90% were palms) were essential for conserving the interaction network structure. Finally, the extinction models suggested that host plant species knowledge was intrinsically related to edible insect knowledge conservation. Our findings provide basic ecological and cultural information for developing edible insect breeding projects and safeguarding traditional knowledge.

Edible Mushrooms of Peri-Urban Kichwa Communities in the Andes-Amazon Piedmont, Ecuador

“…This palm has high wood density and the most abundant mushroom on it was F. tenuiculus , which has high enzymatic capacity for wood and lignin degradation (Robledo and Urcelay 2009; Taylor and Sinsabaugh 2015). The mushroom chundu ala g rew only on this palm but had a very low cultural index, perhaps because these palms are used to grow larvae of the beatles chonta kuru ( Rhynchophorus palmarum ) and willan kuru ( Rhinostomus barbirostris ), highly valued by the Kichwa communities for their fat and protein content (Guachamin-Rosero, Peñuela and Zurita-Benavides 2022).…”

Alphitobius diaperinus larvae (lesser mealworm) as human food – An approval of the European Commission – A critical review

“…Considering the matter from a global context, roughly two billion people currently incorporate insects into their daily diets . To date, the literature indicates that there are approximately 2,111 species of insects that have been documented as edible (Guachamin-Rosero et al, 2023).…”

Genes in the Chagra: Crop and Crop Wild Relative Landesque Capital among Amazonian Runa in Ecuador

“…Runa is a self-designation of the cultural group sometimes known as the Amazonian Kichwa, Runa shimi being Kichwa for their language (Macdonald 1999;Muratorio 1991;White 2022). While research on Amazonian environmental anthropology (Kohn 2013;Uzendoski and Calapucha-Tapuy 2012;Leitão 2021;Torres et al 2015) and Runa environmental practices is growing (Benitez 2021;Bredero et al 2023;Coq-Huelva et al 2017;Dodaro 2022;Erazo & Jarrett 2018;Gari 2001;Guachamin-Rosero et al 2023;Heredia-R et al 2021;Vera et al 2019), studies explicitly focused on Runa or indeed any Amazonian Indigenous group's interactions with landesque capital or CWRs remain scarce (White 2022;White et al 2023). Depending on the source consulted Amazonian Kichwa speakers in Ecuador number between 60,000 to more than 150,000 (Uzendoski and Calapucha-Tapuy 2012).…”