Browsing by Author "Hlongwane, Zabentungwa Thakasile."

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Diversity of edible insects and their related indigenous knowledge: evidence from KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo provinces, South Africa.
(2021) Hlongwane, Zabentungwa Thakasile.; Munyai, Thinandavha Caswell.; Slotow, Robert Hugh.
Entomophagy is an ancient indigenous practice that has played a significant role in human nutrition around the world. In addition, the traditional use of edible insects forms an important part of food culture in Africa. Edible insects are widely consumed across the African continent for their taste, nutritional value, or as an emergency food source during times of food shortage. They have been proposed and recommended as a sustainable food source that can assure food security, because edible insects are rich in protein, fats, amino acids, iron, zinc, and energy. As a result, edible insects play an essential role in human nutrition. In addition, the trade of edible insects plays an important role in improving livelihoods in developing countries. However, little is known about the diversity and nutritional composition of various insects consumed in South Africa. In addition, little is being done to document traditional knowledge on the consumption of insects, and processes involved in harvesting, processing, and preparing edible insects. This study aimed to document indigenous knowledge regarding the consumption of edible insects, their diversity and distribution, and their nutritional composition. This was done by (i) reviewing existing literature on the diversity of insect and their nutritional status in Africa. (ii) documenting consumption patterns, methods, or techniques used in collecting and preparing insects in South Africa. (iii) determining the nutritional composition of some major insect groups consumed in Africa, (iv) determining the most preferred insect groups, and (v) by documenting the socio-economic benefits of trading insects. Closed and open-ended questions were conducted in various rural areas in five and four local municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Limpopo. To document indigenous knowledge about trading, consumption, collection and preparation methods used in these provinces. Dried samples of four insect groups were procured from different markets across Vhembe district, Limpopo Province. The nutritional composition of the procured insect types was analysed using the standard Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC) methods. A systematic review was conducted to determine the diversity and nutritional composition of edible insects consumed in Africa. A systematic review search resulted in 98 eligible papers listing 212 edible insect species from eight orders that are used as food in Africa. The highest protein (range: 20–80%) and fat (range: 10–50%) content were recorded in order Lepidoptera. While the highest carbohydrates (range: 7–54%) content was reported in order Coleoptera. Majority of the people still practice entomophagy in Limpopo while, there are only a few people consuming insects in KwaZulu-Natal. Gynanisa caterpillar, Gonimbrasia belina (mopane worm), termites, Encosternum delegorguei (stink bug), Cirina forda (emperor moth), Locustana spp. (brown locust), Zenocerous spp. (grasshopper), Carebara vidua (ant), and Cicadoidea spp. (cicada) were used as food in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. From these, mopane worms and termites were the most preferred species. These insects were primarily collected from the wild, and consumed either fried, boiled, roasted, sundried, or as relish. Nutritional benefits and tradition were the primary reason for consuming insects in the two provinces. However, religion and discomfort associated with consuming insects were the main reasons for not consuming insects. Findings from the nutritional analysis of four insect types showed that termite (soldiers/ workers) had the highest protein and iron content, while Gynanisa caterpillar had the highest zinc content. The ranges of the percentage contribution of the insects studied relative to the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for protein amongst different age groups, indicated that the insects would contribute significantly to addressing protein deficiencies, 89.5-160.4% EAR for 4-8 years old children and 29.9-53.6% EAR for childbearing women (19-50 years). However, because Gonimbrasia belina are consumed in a relatively higher portion size than the other edible insects, it would be a good source of protein for different population groups. Generally, boiling with or without salt added resulted in a significant increase in protein, iron, and zinc content of Gonimbrasia belina samples. On the other hand, frying resulted in a significant decrease in protein content of Gonimbrasia belina samples. Five insect groups were traded for cash income in Vhembe district, Limpopo province. Of these, mopane worm was the most traded insect. Trading insects provided financial support and cash income to unemployed people in this province. Income generated from trading insects range from R100 - R200 ($6, 2 - $12, 3) per week to above R2000 ($123, 3) per week with the majority of traders making an income of R600 -R1000 ($36, 9-$61, 6) per week. Unemployment and poverty were the main reason for trading insects. Despite the economic benefit associated with trading insects, few governmental organizations in Limpopo included edible insects in economic development strategies. In addition, insect trading took place in the informal markets along the street, pavements, and on table stalls made of cardboard and wood. Safety and hygiene were the major issues of concern stated by the respondents in Vhembe district. Therefore, government need to provide infrastructure and financial support to improve the trading conditions of edible insects. Also, policy and legislation that recognise and govern the consumption, trading, and harvesting of edible insects are required, because edible insects play an important role in income generation. In addition, edible insects contribute to food and nutrition security in developing countries with chronic nutrient deficiencies. Therefore, the consumption of insects should be promoted and encouraged in poor communities.
Use of ground-dwelling arthropods as bioindicators of ecological condition in grassland and forest vegetation at eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2018) Hlongwane, Zabentungwa Thakasile.; Tsvuura, Zivanai.; Mwabvu, Tarombera.; Munyai, Thinandavha Caswell.
Epigaeic arthropods are among the most diverse and abundant group of animals. They are important in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Assemblages of arthropods may be affected by vegetation type, seasonality and disturbances such as alien plant invasion. The aim of this study was to develop a bioindicator tool for monitoring ecological conditions of the KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (KZNSS), which is one of the most threatened grasslands in KwaZulu-Natal. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine species abundance and species richness of ground-dwelling arthropods; 2) determine the effect of season on ground-dwelling arthropods; 3) determine functional diversity of ground-dwelling arthropods; and 4) determine if ground-dwelling arthropods distribution differs in three vegetation types in Tanglewood and Giba Gorge nature reserves in the KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld. Ground-dwelling arthropods were sampled during the wet and dry seasons at two sites in each of the nature reserves. At each site, pitfall trap sampling was carried out in three vegetation types, namely intact grassland, riverine or scarp forest and a disturbed grassland vegetation. The disturbed grassland vegetation was an ecotone between grassland and forest dominated by alien invasive plants. Ants, beetles, spiders, terrestrial crustaceans, sand crickets, roaches, termites, millipedes, lacewigs, hemipterans and woodlice were the sampled taxa in both reserves. A total of 6 150 specimens belonging to 60 morpho-species were sampled in Giba Gorge and Tanglewood Nature Reserve. Species abundance and richness varied among reserves as greater epigaeic arthropod abundance was observed in Tanglewood than in Giba Gorge Nature Reserve. However, Giba Gorge was the richer reserve than Tanglewood. Distribution of epigaeic arthropods varied among vegetation types, higher arthropod abundance was recorded in the forest than the disturbed and intact grassland. While higher species richness of epigaeic arthropods was recorded in an intact grassland. Ants were the most abundant and richest taxon at both sites and greater abundance of ants was recorded in the disturbed grassland which shows that ants are opportunistic organisms. Seasonality played an important role in epigaeic arthropod species abundance and richness. Higher abundance and richness was observed in the wet season. This shows that the wet season provides optimum food resources, temperature, soil moisture and diverse vegetation structure which is favourable to epigaeic arthropods. Functional diversity varied across vegetation types. Forest supported a greater abundance of decomposers and predators while the disturbed grassland supported greater abundance of generalists and herbivores. This shows that functional guilds have different food resources and niche requirements and vegetation type plays an important role in functional diversity. Generalist arthropods were more abundant in the dry season unlike the predators, herbivores and decomposers which were more abundant in the wet season. Generalists have broad diets and are able to survive under unfavourable conditions. A terrestrial crustacean, Talitriator africana occurred in all vegetation types but was more abundant in forest. An ant, Pheidole sp.02 (megacephala gp.) was the most widespread species. However, it was more abundant in disturbed grassland. These results suggest that T. africana and Pheidole sp.02 (megacephala gp.) could be useful potential indicators for monitoring ecological conditions in the KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld. Forests and grasslands should be conserved because they supported higher numbers of epigaeic arthropods and functional guilds. Arthropods play an important role in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Disturbed grassland should be managed and restored back to a grassland because grasslands play an important role in the functioning of the ecosystem by providing direct and indirect ecosystem services