Locusts and grasshoppers: nutritional value, harvesting and rearing for animal feed, and other applications

Locusts may cause massive destruction of crops and pastures and adversely affect livelihoods and food security of farmers and pastoralists. Like other insects, locusts and grasshoppers are rich in protein (50–65% in dry matter) and their essential amino acid composition is good. In the diets of poultry, pigs and fish, replacement of up to 25% of the conventional protein-rich feed resources such as soymeal and fishmeal is possible with these insects. The main constraint in their use as animal feed is the presence of insecticides, sprayed for controlling outbreaks. Insecticide-free locusts and grasshoppers must only be used as a feed. Locusts and grasshoppers rearing techniques have not been upscaled and hence their mass rearing for use as animal feed is not possible currently; however, several harvesting approaches are available, which have been discussed. These approaches could be adapted for mass harvesting of locusts and grasshoppers for use as animal feed. The opportunity of using these field-harvested insects has been ignored so far by various agencies. An integrated approach that strategically uses insecticides and employs mass harvesting techniques must be considered to control these pests and to use them as animal feed and human food. The insecticide-sprayed locusts and grasshoppers could be composted for use as a fertilizer. Other industrial uses of locusts and grasshoppers are also presented. The information contained in this paper would enhance knowledge of government and non-government agencies on the use of locusts and grasshoppers (not sprayed with pesticide) as animal feed and safe human food.