Comparative Phenotypic Traits of House Cricket (Acheta domesticus) and Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa spp.) as Alternative Protein Sources in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for Sustainable Farming
Discuss this preprint
Start a discussion What are Sciety discussions?Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
Background : The global demand for sustainable, climate-resilient protein sources has intensified in tropical and sub-Saharan African regions, where population growth and environmental pressures challenge conventional livestock systems. Edible insects offer a promising alternative due to high nutritional value, efficient feed conversion and low ecological footprint. This study provides the first comparative phenotypic characterization of two ecologically distinct cricket species with potential for mass rearing: the house cricket ( Acheta domesticus ) and the mole cricket ( Gryllotalpa spp.). Results : Using 120 adult specimens (n = 60 per species) as test samples with balanced sex ratio collected in Kenya as a representative of sub-Saharan case study, we quantified body length, hind leg length, body weight and female fecundity. Results revealed pronounced interspecific divergence where Gryllotalpa spp. exhibited greater mean body weight of 1.57 g compared to 0.70 g of Acheta domesticus , also larger in size, reflecting fossorial adaptations, while Acheta domesticus displayed elongated hind legs of 28.7 mm to 19.6 mm of Gryllotalpa spp suited for jumping and a higher female fecundity (48.5 ± 5.2 vs. 32.1 ± 7.5 eggs). Species-specific sexual dimorphism further highlighted contrasting life-history strategies. Conclusion : These findings demonstrate a classic trade-off between reproductive output and biomass yield, suggesting complementary roles in diversified farming systems. Acheta domesticus is optimal for high-turnover production, while Gryllotalpa spp. holds promising for high-biomass systems. This novel comparison provides foundational data for species selection and breeding programs, supporting resilient insect-based protein production across sub-Saharan Africa and similar tropical regions amid climate change considerations.
