Edible insect harvest in Pinos, Zacatecas, Mexico

Resumen

Objective: To identify the exploitation and generation of economic income derived from the harvest of
escamol (Liometopum apiculatum Mayr), white worm (Aegiale hesperiaris W) and red worm (Comadia
redtenbacheri H), during an annual season.
Design/Methodology: Surveys were applied to n=593 edible insect harvesters in n= 18 rural
communities, local authorities (ejido commissaries, auxiliary judges), buyers (intermediaries), and
representatives of the stockpiling company DELIZAC. The interviews were conducted in harvesting zones
(field), at the time of the delivery of the product (stockpiling), and in the homes of harvesters selected as
sample in Pinos, Zacatecas, Mexico.
Results: The prices per kilogram of escamol and white worm, during the 2020 seasons, was US$15.00,
and for the red worm, US$25.00. The harvest of edible insects was 34.6 tons with an economic spill of
US$572,800.00 showing a per capita average income of US$965.90.
Study Limitations/Implications: The results of this study can be used to propose techniques that favor
the conservation, management, and sustainable exploitation of the three species of edible insects for
inhabitants of the rural zones in central-northern Mexico.
Conclusions: The harvest of edible insects in Pinos, Zacatecas, generates important economic income. Of
the harvesters, 78.9 % were men, 13.7 % adult women, and 7.4 % children. Most of the harvesting
localities lack permits to carry out the exploitation.