The Nutritional quality of the white worm (Agathymus remingtoni Stallings & Turner Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) of the maguey lechuguilla (Agave Lechuguilla Torrey 1859) Nutritional quality of the white worm of the maguey lechuguilla

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutritional quality of larvae of the white worm (Agathymus remingtoni) of the maguey lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla).

Design/methodology/approach: Samples of A. remingtoni larvae, were collected from stems and leaves of wild maguey lechuguilla that grows in hills of the community of San Francisco, Municipio de Epazoyucan Hidalgo, Mexico. Proximal analysis was performed and content of calcium and phosphorus were determined on larvae samples.  

Results: The larvae of A. remingtoni had a protein content of 33.69% on a dry basis, and 12.05% on a wet basis. Other results obtained were as follows:  ethereal extract 15.97%, dry matter 35.76%, humidity 64.24%, ash 0.82%, crude fiber 0.85%, free extract Nitrogen 6.07, Calcium 0.40%, Phosphorus 0.56%.

Limitations/implications: During: In the literature review carried out, no reports were found on the nutritional quality of the white worm (Agathymus remingtoni) of the maguey lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla).

Findings/conclusions: Agathymus remingtoni larvae have excellent nutritional content, which makes them an alternative source of protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus for human and livestock feeding.

Keywords: Agave lechuguilla, white worm, food, nutritional composition.