Edible Lepidoptera in Mexico: Geographic distribution, ethnicity, economic and nutritional importance for rural people

Saturniidae, Pieridae, Noctuidae and Nymphalidae were the more species consumed with 16, 11, 9, and 8 species, respectively.The genera with the largest numbers of species were: Phassus, Phoebis, Hylesia and Spodoptera, with three species.Their local distribution, corresponding to each state of Mexico, is also presented.Lepidoptera is one of the richest Insecta orders. Their larvae serve as food for many ethnic groups around the world [1,2]; they are often prepared charcoaled in salty water or, in some cases, fried or mixed with other food [3]. Also contribute a great amount of energy and protein to indigenous diet [4]. In general, this reflects their availability. In the forests of the Central African Republic, some species are so abundant, that when they are in the last larval stage, their excrement fall sounding like heavy raindrops, and two months later, the soil becomes white due to the mycelium that develops [Ramos-Elorduy J, Personal observations, 1990].The inhabitants make good use of them, storing and selling. This help the people to obtain income that is necessary in a subsistence economy. Ancient Mexicans were traded larvae of Pantherodes pardalaria and Aegiale hesperiaris [5]. Peasants know very well when and where is the biggest and tasty larval stage. People even make long journeys to obtain them; however, because of an over-exploitation, as in Zambia happened, establish a law to enforce a closed season, to prevent extinction of Gynanisa maja and Gonimbrasia belina named "mumpa" [6], exploiting it in a rational way to balance preservation and exploitation [7].The use of insects as food by the different ethnia of Mexico is a very complete study at Mexico that achieve 549 species [8]. We have documented 14 orders of the Insecta Class, including Lepidoptera.A study of the edible species of Lepidoptera in Mexico has not yet been accomplished.Field work was conducted in 17 states of Mexico, including in 235 localities in: Chiapas (16), Chihuahua (2), Distrit