Edible Cirina forda (Westwood, 1849) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) caterpillar among Moba people of the Savannah Region in North Togo: from collector to consumer

Cirina forda (Westwood, 1849) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is a Lepidoptera species whose larvae are eaten in West Africa. In Togo, larvae of C. forda are eaten and sold in northern part of the country, by Moba people. However no, scientific information was recorded on this practice. The objective of this study is to increase the value of this edible unconventional resource to ensure food security. The research was carried out in three villages in the study area and 300 actors were surveyed in two main markets of the Savannah Region in order to obtain information about the availability of caterpillars in a year period; their collection, cooking and conservation techniques; financial income and distribution channels. The nutritional value of C. forda larva was also evaluated through biochemical analyses. The period of availability of C. forda larva goes from July to September and mostly during the rainy season. The collection, conversion and sale of C. forda larva are activities occurred in all surveyed villagers. People of different sexes and ages carry out this activity. However, resale strictly involves women. Wholesalers buy C. forda caterpillars from collectors and sell them to middlemen who, on their turn, sell them to retailers. The average price of C. forda caterpillar increases from collectors to wholesalers, from wholesalers to middlemen and from middlemen to retailers, but the margins of profit are in the reverse order. The margins of profit on one kilogram are 600 F CFA, 287.5 F CFA, 187.5 F CFA and 125 F CFA for collectors, wholesalers, middlemen and retailers respectively. As far as the nutritional value is concerned, raw as well as converted C. forda caterpillar contains less water, but a lot of ashes, proteins, high in crude fibers and minerals with significant differences sometimes. Consequently, C. forda caterpillar is a good food resource and provides significant incomes for poor people in the north of Togo. This study lays the foundation of a program aimed at increasing the economic value of this unconventional food resource in Togo.