62 Insect and Hydroponic Farming in Africa
TABLE 3.2 Most Commonly Farmed Insect Species Species utilized in full-grown (adult) stages Species
English name
For food For feed
Notes
Acheta domesticus
House cricket
X
X (pets)
Farmed for feed for pet birds and reptiles in many countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand. Emerging consumption by people in Europe, Australia, and North America. Farming has expanded to Africa.
Gryllodus sigillatus
Banded cricket
X
Same as above. This cricket species is resistant to the Acheta domesticus Densovirus paralysis virus, which is known to decimate cricket populations.
Gryllus assimilis
Field cricket
X
Originates from the Caribbean. Commonly used in the US pet food industry. Resistant to the Acheta domesticus Densovirus paralysis virus.
Gryllus bimaculatus
Black cricket or field X cricket
Widely farmed in Southeast Asia with Acheta domesticus. Farming introduced to Europe for food. Resistant to the Acheta domesticus Densovirus paralysis virus.
Teleogryllus testaceus (Gryllus testaceus)
Common or field cricket
X
Field cricket native to the Americas.
Scapsipedus icipea
Field cricket
X
Field cricket native to East Africa. Recently described as a new species. The species is commonly farmed in Kenya.
Crickets Order: Orthoptera
X
Grasshoppers/locusts Order: Orthoptera Oxya spp.; Melanoplus spp.; Various species Hieroglyphus spp.; Acridia spp. Locusta migratora; Schistocerca gregaria
X
X (pets)
Various grasshopper and locust species are produced for pet food. Some species are marketed for human consumption. In Africa and elsewhere, grasshoppers and locusts are consumed and collected from the wild.
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