Diversity and bio-ecology of edible caterpillars in the bimodal rainforest of Cameroon

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Journal of Insects as Food and Feed

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Abstract

Edible caterpillars are among the most traded commodities in Cameroon, yet there is limited data on their species diversity and host trees. The study addressed this gap through semi-structured interviews with local experts from 11 localities in the bimodal forest zone of Cameroon. The experts provided local names of edible caterpillars and their host trees. Between August 2020 and September 2021, 15 edible caterpillar specimens were collected and identified through morphological and molecular methods. The identified species belong to the Erebidae, Notodontidae, and Saturniidae families. The study recorded over 22 host trees, with Entandrophragma cylindricum Sapelli , Baillonella toxisperma Moabi , Erythrophleum ivorense Tali , and Petersianthus macrocarpus Essia being the most common. The trees, from diverse plant families, are heavily exploited for timber, creating a dual pressure on both timber and non-timber resources, including edible caterpillars. Gonimbrasia oyemensis and Cirina forda emerged as the most vulnerable species due to their monophagy and reliance on highly exploited host trees. The Maximum Entropy model successfully identifies suitable habitats for these host trees beyond Cameroon. The model s high accuracy and predictive power offer valuable insights for conservation efforts to preserve edible caterpillars and their host plants across Africa. The research provides critical data on edible insects in Cameroon, highlighting the cultural significance of their host plants and offering a robust model for sustainable exploitation and conservation management.

Keywords

edible insects, host trees, MaxEnt model, sustainable exploitation

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