Morphological description and DNA barcoding of an edible insect and its host plant in Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract Mesoamerican cultures have a rich tradition of utilizing native species as food sources, yet many remain under-researched. Insects are a prime example. The Monte Albán region in southern Mexico, home to one of Mesoamerica’s most significant archaeological sites, is also an area where small groups of people continue the ancient practice of collecting and consuming insects — likely a pre-Hispanic legacy. This study documents the collection and consumption of a little-known insect species. Using DNA barcoding, we provide the first genetic record of this species in the GenBank and BOLD databases, employing universal CO1 primers for identification. We also provide a morphological diagnosis of its ontogenetic stages, confirming that the consumed species is Umbonia reclinata (Germar, 1835), locally referred to as ‘tigrillos.’ Our DNA barcode analysis shows limited similarity to other published sequences of Umbonia , likely due to the scarce availability of genetic data for this genus and its relatives. At our study site, this insect exclusively feeds on the sap of Acaciella angustissima (Mill.) Britton and Rose, a leguminous shrub, which we could identify with 100% certainty using rbcL and matK primers. This research highlights the scarcity of genetic data for Umbonia species and the limited local knowledge surrounding Umbonia reclinata , including its traditional uses. Our findings indicate that this insect is rare in our study site despite the abundance of its host plant. We emphasize the need for further research to understand the ecological and cultural factors influencing its local distribution and its potential as a food resource within the biocultural heritage of Mesoamerica.