An explorative study of the practice of light trapping and the informal market for crickets in Cambodia

Abstract

Edible insects are an integrated part of the food sector in many South-East Asian countries. While the majority of studies focus on Thailand and its cricket farming sector, neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Laos also form a regional market for edible insects. The aim of this research was to describe the informal food sector for wild caught crickets in Cambodia. The information was collected in April-May 2012. Information on collection equipment and techniques, processing and trade were obtained from light trap owners, traders, market vendors and governmental representatives. Five cricket species were identified to be the main trade object. Cricket trapping contributed to livelihoods of rural households operating in a self-governing market. As the crickets are caught from the wild, the sustainability of the market has to be questioned. The use of a framework to structure future studies on edible insects in South-East Asia is discussed. Insect trapping and trading is not institutionally anchored as either agriculture or fisheries – or another sector – and provides an interesting case of a food market operating in between the institutionalised sectors.