Comparative ethnoentomology of edible stinkbugs in southern Africa and sustainable management considerations

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dc.contributor.authorCatherine Maria Dzerefos, C.M.
dc.contributor.authorWitkowski, E.T.F.
dc.contributor.authorToms, R.
dc.date.accessioned2016-05-19T10:18:48Z
dc.date.available2016-05-19T10:18:48Z
dc.date.issued2013
dc.description.abstractInsects, such as stinkbugs, are able to produce noxious defence chemicals to ward off predators, nevertheless, some ethnic groups have recipes to render them delicious. We provide an example of edible stinkbugs (Encosternum delegorguei) used by two locally separate ethnic groups in South Africa, the Vhavenda and Mapulana, with a third group, the Bolobedu using them for commercial purposes. Structured interview schedules and observations with 106 harvesters were conducted to determine differences in use, nomenclature and oral history, methods of collection and preparation as well as perceptions pertaining to availability. The stinkbugs’ foul defence chemical and flight response necessitates nocturnal harvesting when the insect is immobilised by cold. The defence chemical stains the skin and affects vision yet protective gear is not worn. Damage to host trees was recorded when harvesters poached from plantations or private land, whereas, in communal-lands, sustainable methods were preferred. The legitimisation of stinkbug harvesting and introduction of a collection funnel could reduce conflicts with managers of plantations and private land. Two methods to remove the defence chemical for increased palatability were used. Preparation methods differed in whether or not water was used and also whether the head was left intact or removed. Stinkbugs have numerous medicinal uses, in particular as a hangover cure. Awareness and optimal use of beneficial insects, such as stinkbugs, in rural areas could lead to a reconsideration of current environmental management strategies, where harvesters act as habitat stewards and clearing, grazing or burning indigenous vegetation is kept to a minimum.en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationDzerefos, C.M., Witkowski, E.T.F., Toms, R. 2013. Comparative ethnoentomology of edible stinkbugs in southern Africa and sustainable management considerations. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 9(1)en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1746-4269
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10539/20391
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherBioMed Centralen_ZA
dc.subjectEdible insectsen_ZA
dc.subjectEntomophagyen_ZA
dc.subjectEthnomedicineen_ZA
dc.subjectSustainable harvestingen_ZA
dc.subjectTraditional fooden_ZA
dc.subjectHexapodaen_ZA
dc.subjectSouthernen_ZA
dc.subjectDefence chemicalen_ZA
dc.subjectAnimalsen_ZA
dc.subjectConservation of Natural Resourcesen_ZA
dc.subjectEcosystemen_ZA
dc.subjectFooden_ZA
dc.subjectHeteropteraen_ZA
dc.subjectMedicineen_ZA
dc.subjectTraditionalen_ZA
dc.subjectTerminology as Topicen_ZA
dc.subjectAfricaen_ZA
dc.titleComparative ethnoentomology of edible stinkbugs in southern Africa and sustainable management considerationsen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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