Palm Weevil Profile: Biology of Rhynchophorus phoenicis in Côte d’Ivoire | InformativeBD

Ehounou Prisca Gnanda, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire and  Ouali-N’goran San-Whouly Mauricette, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire. wrote a Research article about, Palm Weevil Profile: Biology of Rhynchophorus phoenicis in Côte d’Ivoire. Entitled, Biological studies on palm tree weevil Rhynchophorus Phoenicis fabricius (Coleoptera; Curculionidae): An interest food bug in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa). This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB.  an open access scholarly research journal on Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Larvae of the palm tree weevil Rhyncophorus phoenicis are consumed and sold on the markets in Côte d’Ivoire, their high prices, in fact a luxury product. In order, to consider possibilities of domestication to increase their availability and decrease the cost, the objective of the present work is to know the development cycle of this species. To do this, a breeding was conducted at the laboratory of Zoology and Animal Biology of the University Felix-Houphouet-Boigny. The rearing device consisted of cylindrical and rectangular plastic boxes. The individuals used come from cocoons collected from palms infested in the field. As soon as the imagoes appeared, pieces of palm trunk were placed in these boxes to serve as support for spawning and nutrition. The total cycle time is 108.51 ± 3.6 days and has 6 larval stages, a nymphal stage followed by adult stage. Female lifetime fecundity was 252.26 ± 3.61 eggs. Incubation period was 4.09 ± 0.53 days with fertility rate of 88.30%. The mean larval and pupal development period were 33, 24 ± 0.9 days and 25.42 ± 2.4 days, respectively. The average emergence rate of adults was 88.30 ± 2.04%. A significant difference was observed in adult life span (F = 28.08, P < 0.05).It is 68.86 ± 3.3 days in males and 54.71 ± 2.7 days in females. This work revealed the possibility of breeding R. phoenicis under controlled conditions. To avoid abusive harvests in already fragile ecosystem, breeding trials on other substrates would be possible.

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Introduction

The consumption of insects is a food practice that extends more and more in the world (FAO, 2013). Many African peoples consume large quantities even if the usually food tends to disappear gradually (van Huis et al., 2013; Halloran et al., 2014). The united Nations Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) promotes since several years the use of insects in food and feed (FAO, 2010). Indeed, the consumption of insects expands, diversifies the diet, and helps prevent nutritional deficiencies (Malaisse, 2004). In West Africa, both termites, locusts, lepidopteran caterpillars and beetles are eaten. The larval and adult stages of R. phoenicis Fabricius (1801) commonly referred to as the caterpillar of the palm tree, are consumed in Côte d'Ivoire (Ouali and Ehounou, 2017). In addition, the commercialization of this species constitutes an important source of income for traders. In most cases, the insects consumed are directly obtained by harvesting or collecting in a natural environment. However, the availability is related to seasonal variations. The farms are still marginal and require a rigorous development to ensure a supply of quality and quantity for nutrition (FAO, 2013). In terms of rearing, insects have higher rates of growth and feed conversion rates and can breed on small spaces with a low impact on the environment (FAO, 2009; van-Huis, 2013). Irregular supply of markets in the larvae makes it difficult to meet demand especially during the dry season. To compensate these ruptures seasonal in supply, it is necessary to produce this insect outside of its natural habitat. The objective of this study is to know some biological parameters of R. phoenicis. Specifically, it will determine incubation period, female fecundity, egg fertility, the survival rate, larval development time, longevity, sex ratio and emergence rate of adults.

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Article source : Biological studies on palm tree weevil Rhynchophorus Phoenicis fabricius (Coleoptera; Curculionidae): An interest food bug in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)

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Nutrient-Rich Grubs: Evaluating the Food Value of Palm Weevil Larvae in Delta State | InformativeBD

Eyaguobor E. Elliot, Nmorsi OPG, and Ede E. Lemy,  from the different institute of  Nigeria. wrote a Research Article about, Nutrient-Rich Grubs: Evaluating the Food Value of Palm Weevil Larvae in Delta State. Entitled, Assessment of nutritional qualities of palm weevil larvae from Elaeis guineensis Jacq and Raphia ferinifera (Gaertn.) Hyl.) in Amukpe, Delta State, Nigeria. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the nutritional qualities of the larva of Rhynchophorus phoenicis collected from rot oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) and Raphia palm trees (Raphia farinifera (Gaertn.) Hyl.) at Amukpee, Delta State, Nigeria. Samples of fresh Rhynchophorus phoenicis larvae collected at different locations in the study area were subjected to analysis for their nutritional mineral qualities using standard laboratory methods. The results showed that variations occurred in composition of nutrient, proximate and mineral compositions of the different samples. R. Phoenicis obtained from raphia palm and oil palm trees recorded higher values of moisture contents in fresh samples with 52.21% and 50.10% respectively. Dry matter composition also recorded higher values in fresh samples of both palm species. From the results, no significant difference (P> 0.05) was spotted in vitamin A and C of R. Phoenicis across the different palm trees with higher values recorded in fresh samples accordingly. Vitamin C results obtained from raphia palm tree samples recorded statistically higher value of 3.23ppm for fresh compared to 2.4ppm recorded for oil palm tree species. The mineral composition varied in the different palm trees. The composition of copper showed that oil palm tree samples recorded higher value of 0.95ppm, 0.87ppm and 0.69ppm for roasted, dried and fresh samples. Also, phosphorus composition obtained from raphia palm tree samples recorded higher values of 5.66ppm, 4.84ppm and 4.34ppm of phosphorus for roasted, dried and fresh samples. Considering the nutritional values of these oil palm weevils, the consumption of these larvae should be incorporated into our daily meal as complementary cheap diet in our society.

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Introduction

Edible insects have played a nutritional role in the diet of people in many parts of the world and are currently being promoted as an inexpensive alternative source of protein in underdeveloped countries due to the rising cost of conventional animal protein and the foreseen future deficit in its supply. Nutrient and chemical analysis of these grubs revealed the presence of protein, carbohydrates, saturated and unsaturated oil and fatty acids at about 31- 61% wet weight (Ukoroije, 2019). Minerals found include sodium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in low, moderate and high content levels (Okaraonye and Ikewuchi, 2008). The larvae are proven to contain the richest source of animal fat and high energy value of 234.9KJ/100g of larvae (Oliveria et al. (1976). Chaney (2006) reported the larvae of R. phoenicis has higher protein compared to termites, milk obtained from cattle, eggs and beef. Hence, larval meal can significantly improve protein requirements for human daily.

It is also rich in essential amino acids such as histidine, methionine and phenylalanine (FAO/WHO/UNU, 1991). Its high content of unsaturated fatty acids is an indicator that the oil is safe for consumption by individuals prone to dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases since its intake reduces the risk of these attacks (Martirosyan et al., 2007). Vitamins found in high amount include thiamine and riboflavin (Thomas and Briyai, 2019).

Factors such as climatic condition, geographical variations, meal preferences of these insect are mainly responsible for the variations usually recorded in their nutrient compositions. Also, variations to so extent has also been recorded in their trace metal composition, this is well obvious in species of same genus. R. phoenicis larvae usually feed on palm species by boring holes on the trunks while the adults feed on terminal buds. They are considered main pests infesting Arecaceae as well as plants such as pawpaw, sugarcane, banana and cacao (Rochat et al., 2017).

Several studies have been conducted on the nutritional status of larvae of the palm weevil, these studies has turned out positive in terms of their contributions to human health, with emphasis on their abundance in locally sourced and traditional diets (Alamu et al., 2013). In general, larvae of palm weevil have shown to harbor essential nutrients including iron, fat, zinc and amino acids (Chinweuba et al., 2013). Palm weevil larvae have shown significantly to offer macro and micronutrient compared to beef and chicken (Payne et al., 2016). Although these studies suggest their potential to combat under-nutrition, though their nutrient content is subject to significant variation caused by factors such as feed, lifecycle and geography (Laar et al., 2017).

Several research on nutrient and mineral contents of R. phoenicis larvae obtained from Raphia palm tree, have been documented by other authors, including Okoli et al. (2019), Agbemebia et al. (2020), Ojianwuna et al. (2021), Adobeze and Enemor (2022). However, these studies have not provided adequate nutrient compositions and proper comparison of nutritional contents of R. phoenicis larvae obtained from Raphia and oil palm. However, this study therefore gives a comparative assessment of the nutritional composition of Rhynchophorus phoenicis larva collected from rotted oil palm and Raphia palm trees within Amukpe community in Delta State, Nigeria.

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Article source : Assessment of nutritional qualities of palm weevil larvae from Elaeis guineensis Jacq and Raphia ferinifera (Gaertn.) Hyl.) in Amukpe, Delta State, Nigeria 

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