Diversity of Termites Used in Poultry Feed in Burkina Faso

TL;DR

This study identifies 20 termite species used in poultry feed in Burkina Faso, revealing regional diversity and new species for the country.

Contribution

The study provides the first detailed identification of termite species used in poultry feed in Burkina Faso, including three new species for the region.

Findings

Twenty termite species were identified across six subfamilies and thirteen genera.

Three species were newly recorded in Burkina Faso: Microcerotermes fuscotibialis, Megagnathotermes notandus, and Isognathotermes fungifaber.

Poultry farmers can identify eight termite genera based on physical traits and mound characteristics.

Abstract

There are various species of termites in West Africa. Some of them are used as protein sources in poultry feed by rural poultry farmers. The diversity of species depends on the climatic zone. As a result, the species actually used by poultry farmers are not well known. To improve knowledge of the termite species used by poultry farmers in Burkina Faso, information was collected from poultry farmers on their local knowledge of termites and samples of termites were taken. They were analysed in the laboratory on the basis of morphological criteria. The results will help to improve poultry farmers’ knowledge of termites and facilitate their use in West Africa and Burkina Faso.

The aim of the study was to assess the diversity of termites used in poultry feed in Burkina Faso. Termite samples were collected in eight of the thirteen regions of the country by poultry farmers, then conserved in 70° alcohol. The criteria used by poultry farmers for identifying the termite were also characterised and discussed with farmers in a village where the use of termites as poultry feed is well developed. Morphological identifications were carried out in the laboratory. Twenty species were identified in two families, six subfamilies, and thirteen genera. In the Heterotermitidae family, a single species belonging to the Coptotermitinae subfamily was identified. The rest belonged to the family Termitidae and the subfamilies Amitermitinae, Microcerotermitinae, Macrotermitinae, Nasutitermitinae, and Cubitermitinae. Three species, Microcerotermes fuscotibialis, Megagnathotermes notandus, and Isognathotermes fungifaber, were found for the first time in Burkina Faso. The largest number of species (eleven) was collected in the Cascades region. Poultry farmers are able to recognise eight genera of termites by the shape, size, and colour of the termites; by the termite mounds; and often by the location of the nest. These results may facilitate the promotion of the use of termites as poultry feed in Burkina Faso and West Africa.

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