Nsenene

Nsenene is the Luganda name for Ruspolia differens:[1] a bush cricket (a.k.a. katydids or misnamed "long-horned grasshoppers") in the tribe Copiphorini of the 'cone-head' subfamily.

Nsenene
Nsenene look-alike (Ruspolia nitidula)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Family: Tettigoniidae
Genus: Ruspolia
Species:
R. differens
Binomial name
Ruspolia differens
(Serville, 1838)
Synonyms
  • Conocephalus albidonervis Redtenbacher, 1891
  • Conocephalus exiguus Stål, 1876
  • Conocephalus lemus Redtenbacher, 1891
  • Conocephalus longipennis Redtenbacher, 1891
  • Conocephalus vicinus Walker, 1869
  • Conocephalus (Homorocoryphus) melanostictus Karny, 1907
  • Homorocoryphus mediotessellatus Karny, 1917

Distribution and traditional beliefs

This species is a delicacy in central and south-western Uganda, as well as an important source of income. The insect is also found in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Madagascar. Traditionally in Uganda, nsenene were collected by children and women. They were given to the women’s husbands in return for a new gomasi (a traditional dress for women). Although the women were made to do the treacherous work of collecting nsenene, they were never allowed to eat them. It was believed that women who consume nsenene would bear children with deformed heads like those of a conocephaline bush cricket. Nowadays, nsenene are consumed by most women in the areas where this insect is traditionally eaten.

References
  1. "species Ruspolia differens (Serville, 1838): Orthoptera Species File". orthoptera.speciesfile.org. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
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