Edible insects of northern Angola. Edible_insects_Angola

From 2013–2017, we accompanied and interviewed local people harvesting edible insects in the northern Angolan province of Uíge. Insect and host plant samples were collected for species identification and nutritive analysis. Additionally, live caterpillars were taken to feed and keep until pupation and eclosion of the imago, necessary for morphological species identification. Altogether, 18 insect species eaten by humans were recorded. 24 edible insect species were formerly known from the country, four of which are confirmed in this study and 14 species additionally recorded. Sciatta inconcisa Walker, 1869 (Erebidae) and Gastroplakaeis rubroanalis Wichgraf, 1913 (Lasiocampidae) are reported for the very first time as human diet. All 18 species are figured and DNA-Barcodes are provided to enable re-identification of species. Though much effort has been undertaken for the identification of the 18 species, only 14 species have been identified at species level and another four only at family level. The scientific names are listed along with the vernacular names. A nutritional analysis is provided for nine species most of which are consumed in the villages, but some are also traded, for which a market study has been conducted. Information is also given on traditional collection and preparation as well as cultural aspects of edible insects in northern Angola.