Ecological Distribution Pattern, Population Abundance and Ethno-entomological Relevance of the Edible Giant Longhorn Beetle Larvae (Tithoes confinis) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) as Sustainable and Alternative Food Source in Morogoro Rural District, Ea

This study investigated the spatial distribution and abundance of Tithoes confinis (giant longhorn beetle) larvae across distinct habitat types in Eastern Tanzania, with a focus on the influence of vegetation cover, altitude, and human land-use activities. Field data were collected from three villages Mgodini, Maseyu, and Mazizi representing varying environmental and anthropogenic conditions. Within each village, five 10×10 m quadrants were randomly established using GPS-generated coordinates, yielding a total of 15 sampling plots. Larval counts were recorded from different tree sections (trunk, branch and root) in both wooded grassland and farmland habitats. Climatic variables such as rainfall, temperature, and humidity were monitored to assess seasonal effects on larval occurrence. Results showed that larval abundance was significantly higher in wooded grasslands (80.62%) than in farmlands (19.38%), highlighting a strong preference for less disturbed, tree-rich environments. Seasonal patterns indicated larval declines during rainfall extremes, particularly in December and April, suggesting climatic thresholds critical to larval survival. A three-way ANOVA revealed significant main effects of village (F (2, 37) = 14.26, p < 0.001) and sampling point (F (2, 37) = 4.54, p = 0.016), and a marginal effect of habitat (F (1, 37) = 4.04, p = 0.050). A significant interaction between village and habitat (F (4, 37) = 3.89, p = 0.027), along with a marginal three-way interaction (F (7, 37) = 2.09, p = 0.099), indicated complex spatial influences on larval abundance. These findings underscore the ecological sensitivity of T. confinis to environmental variation and land-use change, emphasizing the importance of conserving semi-natural habitats for saproxylic beetle biodiversity and forest ecosystem health.