Perception and knowledge of grasshoppers among indigenous communities in tropical forest areas of southern Cameroon: Ecosystem conservation, food security, and health

The increased attention given to health, food security, and biodiversity conservation in recent years should bring together conventional scientists indigenous people share their knowledge systems for better results. This work aims assess how grasshoppers are perceived by the local southern Cameroon, particularly terms of food, landscape conservation. Villagers were interviewed individually using a rapid rural assessment method form semi-structured survey. Nearly all (99%) declared that they able identify grasshoppers, generally through color insect (80%). Crop fields most often cited (16%) abundance with forest being less mentioned (8%). In general, villagers claimed grasshopper degradation. Grasshoppers found during seasons year but noted be more abundant long dry seasons. People both useful harmful, harmful reported Zonocerus variegatus , an important crop pest. Cassava is attacked 75–100% losses. Industrial crops, such as cocoa, coffee, bananas, not damaged grasshoppers. effective control pest use pesticides (53%) with, cases (27%), efficiency. traditional spreading ash was also (19%), estimated efficiency 25–75%. Biological methods neither nor used villagers. Most them (87%) eat grasshoppers; some sold these insects market (58%) treat diseases (11%).