ABSTRACT
E-mail: Tchisev@avu.org 2Dept. des Sciences de Production Vegetale, Laboratoire d'Entomologie B.P. 8031,
6700 EH Wageningen, Les Pays-Bas. E-mail: arnold.vanhuis@users.ento.wag-ur.nl and arnold@vanhuis.com
3Dept. Biology, Padova University, 35100-Padova, Italy E-mail: paoletti@civ.bio.unipd.it
Abstract Insects have been and still are consumed in South Benin. They are a very impor tant source of animal protein able to successfully substitute some meats and improve the health of badly nourished children. Four kinds of insects are princi pally collected in South Benin-Oryctes spp., Rhynchophorus phoenicis (Fabr.); Brachytrupes membranaceus (Drury), and Macrotermes falciger. The species mostly eaten in Benin are Macrotermes falciger and Oryctes spp. (Tchibozo, 2002). The various aspects investigated here are: the species eaten, techniques of gathering, culinary usages, communities consuming them, and their economic importance.
