Indigenous Knowledge of the Edible Weaver Ant Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius Hymenoptera: Formicidae from the Vientiane Plain, Lao PDR

Abstract

Of major importance in realizing the potential of edible insects as a core element in improving food security, sustainable food production, and biodiversity conservation, are developments in sustainable exploitation of wild edible insect populations and in (semi-)cultivating and farming edible insects. Such developments can draw on both western science and indigenous knowledge. Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius Hymenoptera: Formicidae, of which particularly the queen brood is commonly consumed in Thailand and the Lao PDR, is believed to have the potential to act as flagship/umbrella species in forest conservation and management, to be incorporated simultaneously as biological control agent and direct source of human food in agroforestry practices, and to be (semi-)cultivated. We provide a detailed account of indigenous knowledge of O. smaragdina and ant brood collection practices from the Vientiane Plain, Lao PDR, through focus group discussions and participant observations, and then reflect on sustainability and conservation issues, and on semi-cultivating constraints and possibilities embedded in indigenous knowledge and ant brood collection practices.

Location and external characteristics of the Oecophylla smaragdina queen nest

“…Our findings explain why the gravid queen is unknown to most ant brood collectors in Laos (Van Itterbeeck et al 2014). First, small nests are ignored as these yield few brood (Van Itterbeeck et al 2014). Second, the queen nest and an evacuating queen can be inconspicuous (Van Itterbeeck et al 2015).…”

“…Besides their importance to evolutionary studies, weaver ants are of direct benefit to Southeast Asian peoples as human food and animal feed and as biological pest control agent (Del Toro et al 2012). Queen brood (queen-destined larvae and pupae) is a favourite food in Thailand and Laos, and an important source of income (Nonaka et al 2008;Sribandit et al 2008;Van Itterbeeck et al 2014). In Indonesia, the worker brood is a highly esteemed feed for song birds (Césard 2004).…”

“…We report on locating the queen in mature colonies in Laos. Based on the findings of Peng et al (1998b) and Van Itterbeeck et al (2014), we hypothesize that (1) the queen tree is the tallest tree occupied by the colony, (2) the queen tree has more nests than other trees occupied by the colony, (3) the queen nest is located near the top and in the centre of the queen tree crown, (4) the queen nest is small, and (5) the queen nest has a higher number of workers patrolling its exterior than other nests.…”

Ecosystem Services from Edible Insects in Agricultural Systems: A Review

“…Also in Laos, the larvae and pupae of the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina are added to fish soup and as a supplement they provide extra flavour and texture. A few adult ants, which have a sour flavour, are added as a condiment in similar fashion to using lemon on fish [39]. …”

Comparing different methods for trapping mated queens of weaver ants (Oecophylla longinoda; Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

“…can significantly reduce the abundance of several insect pests of tropical crops (Adandonon, Vayssières, Sinzogan, & Van Mele, 2009;Peng & Christian, 2004;Peng, Christian, & Gibb, 1995;Peng, Christian, & Reilly, 2011;Way & Khoo, 1989). Furthermore, Oecophylla ants are targeted as mini livestock for sustainable protein production, as they are used as food by humans and animals (Cèsard, 2004;FAO report, 2013;Offenberg, 2011;Sribandit, Wiwatwitaya, Suksard, & Offenberg, 2008;Van Itterbeeck, Sivongxay, Praxaysombath, & Van Huis, 2014). In both cases, a stable population of weaver ants is needed, and therefore, augmentation and introduction are often practised where weaver ants exist in low numbers or are completely absent.…”