Relationship between new farming practices and chemical use and the consumption of giant cricket (Brachytrupes membranaceus Drury, 1770)

The current work is aimed at generating information on giant crickets and the impact of commonly used pesticides on the natural population of these crickets. Data was collected based on interviews and complemented with field observations. Out of 319 respondents surveyed, 290 were aware of the use of the giant cricket as a food source, and 161 were active consumers. Regarding the availability of the giant cricket, respondents reported that the crickets’ populations were diminishing because of farming practices. About 219 persons reported that commonly used herbicides harm giant crickets at different stages. This could be attributed to the scarcity of this species, as mentioned by 233 respondents. The results showed that 130 respondents were engaged in gathering giant crickets for consumption. This insect gathering is related to soil tilling. Chi-square test showed a significant dependence relationship between herbicides use and cricket scarcity. Although less than a majority (129) of respondents are making regular use of persistent pesticides (herbicides), it has been observed that intensive use of pesticides could become a popular practice in smallholder farming categories. This paper thus suggests the need for training and surveillance concerning the trade of pesticides in the region and proposes further investigations into pesticides residues or traces in collected giant crickets consumed in the study site and in all areas with similar conditions.