The micronutrient contribution of edible insects in Zimbabwe

Many insects are eaten traditionally in Zimbabwe. During November-December 2013 I spent a couple of weeks in both the Northeastern and Southwestern parts of the country, trying to find out a bit more about traditional entomophagy, and developed a collaborative project with Dr Shadreck Dube, a researcher working at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo. We collected five insects 'as sold' for human consumption at markets and back in Japan, we analysed their mineral content. The results are soon to be published in the African Journal of Biotechnology.

Below is some information about two key insect foods eaten in Zimbabwe: Mopane worms and termites.

'Mopane' (Gonimbrasia belina)

Mopane Worm is the common name given to Gonimbrasia belina (and sometimes other species of Saturniidae) caterpillars, which are harvested for food throughout Southern Africa. In Zimbabwe, this practice is mainly found in the Southwestern region of the country, near to the border with Botswana, although the caterpillars are sold in their dried form across the whole of Zimbabwe. 

Termites

Termites - both the winged alates and also the soldiers - are traditionally collected in rural areas in Zimbabwe.