Chapter 20 NORTH AND WEST AFRICA Overview The region as treated here includes all countries in the bulge of West Africa (on the southern coast from Nigeria westward) and to the east Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and countries north. Insects

The region as treated here includes all countries in the bulge of West Africa (on the southern coast from Nigeria westward) and to the east Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and countries north. Insects of at least 25 species are eaten, belonging to at least 21 genera, 13 families and 7 orders (see the Regional Taxonomic Inventory below). Of this group, the specific identity is known for only 21 species, the generic identity for another 4, only the family identity for one and the order identity for one. Nigeria is the best-studied country in the region insofar as its food insect use is concerned, and it is presented first with others following alphabetically. Other countries on the southern coast of West Africa probably have edible insect use similar in variety to that of Nigeria, but less information is available. North of the coastal countries, the variety is greatly reduced, limited mainly to locusts, and primarily the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria.