Indigenous knowledge interaction network between host plants and edible insects in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Abstract

Globally, nearly two billion people consume approximately 2,111 species of insects, 92% of which are harvested directly from their natural ecosystems. However, intensifying insect harvesting causes ecological alterations and biodiversity loss. In the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Kichwa people are the primary consumers of insects. Thus, this study characterised the diversity of edible insects, host plants, and cultural significance among two peri-urban Kichwa communities. We used photo-elicitation, free-listing, semi-structured interviews, and in situ walk-in-the-woods to identify relevant edible insects. Then, we used species accumulation curves, the Salience Smith Index (SSI), ecological interaction networks, and extinction models to assess insect-host species interactions and cultural significance. We registered 19 edible insect species from three orders and six families. Furthermore, we reported two new species for the world list of edible insects and one for the Ecuadorian list. Ten insect species were associated with 21 host plant species. The interaction between the Rhynchophorus palmarum beetle and the Bactris gasipaes palm tree had the highest cultural significance (SSI>0.18, P<0.05). Furthermore, we found that 30% of the insect species and 52% of the host plant species (of which 90% were palms) were essential for conserving the interaction network structure. Finally, the extinction models suggested that host plant species knowledge was intrinsically related to edible insect knowledge conservation. Our findings provide basic ecological and cultural information for developing edible insect breeding projects and safeguarding traditional knowledge.