There are 472 edible insect species in sub-Saharan Africa, of which 31% are Lepidoptera. Wild harvesting is still the main source of supply for these prized species to this day, with some harvesting techniques negatively impacting the environment. The successful production of edible caterpillars requires the appropriate and efficient implementation of husbandry techniques and practices. In this review, we present current literature on edible caterpillars. We provide a general overview of their life history, nutritional composition, and availability associated with specific host plants, with emphasis on semi-domestication and rearing practices that should replace wild harvest. Based on the assimilated information, a proposal of potential species for farming is provided, with details on key characteristics of development cycles to promote the establishment and development of sustainable farms of edible caterpillars at small and large scales. Such advances would contribute toward reducing anthropological pressure related to the exploitation of these food resources, as well as the environmental footprint of this widespread practice.

The edible caterpillar Aegocera rectilinea Boisduval 1836, locally called Mikombidila, is collected from its wild habitat for consumption by people in the western region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Its production by farming would represent a valuable source of animal protein for local populations. Working toward this end, the present study examined the life cycle of A. rectilinea, fed on Boerhavia diffusa L. leaves in an uncontrolled breeding room (26±2 °C, 77±6% relative humidity), starting with caterpillars previously harvested in Kinshasa, DRC. The fecundity of the females was 340.8 eggs on average, with an egg viability of 89.7%. Developmental phase durations of 19.8±1.6 and 12.5±1.9 days were observed for the larval and pupal stages, respectively. The mean total life-cycle duration, from egg to adult emergence, was 36.2±2.3 days, with a proportion of female of 0.785%. Adult longevity was 8.2±0.8 days for males and 8.0±2.0 days for females. The results of this study validate the interest for A. rectilinea rearing program to reduce food insecurity and protein deficiencies, particularly in western areas of the DRC.