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ABSTRACT
Samples of adult and larval stages of edible insect species were collected from their natural habitats in Nigeria swamp forest, euthanized through in cold stored, and analyzed chemically for their proximate compositions. Crude protein values ranged from 21.70 to 30.12 (g/100g). Locust recorded the highest CP value of 28.79% while the rhino larvae measured least CP value (23.69%). For chitin content, values ranged from 1.42% in rhino larvae to 2.46% in the rhino beetle. Between the three insect species, differences were significant (p<0.05) in values of crude protein, chitin and ether extract. Ether extract content of the adult rhino and of the larvae were significantly higher (p<0.01) than the values for moth and locust. ASH values ranged from 3.22 in moth to 8.24 in locust. NFE contents were not significantly (p>0.05) different between adult rhino (38.7%), and larvae (37.32%); but were significantly lower (p>0.05) than NFE in moth (59.37%) and in locust (55.90%). The life cycles, metamorphosis, habitat, feeding and reproductive behavior, nutritional benefits and the economic importance of these organisms to man are discussed.
