Arachnophagy (/əˈræknɒfədʒi/, from Greek ἀράχνη aráchnē, 'spider', and φαγεῖν phagein, 'to eat'), also known asaraneophagy, describes a feeding behaviour that involves eatingarachnids, a class of eight-leggedarthropods that includesspiders and many other species groups includingscorpions,ticks, andmites. Aside from arachnophagy by non-human creatures, the term can also refer to the practice of eating arachnids among humans.[1]
Arachnophagy is widespread among many animals, especiallyreptiles andbirds. For example, arachnophagy is described amongPhilippine scops owls that feed on spider species such asHeteropoda venatoria.[2]
Spiders are also eaten by many other types of animal,[3] and spiders themselves can eat other spiders, including thoseof their own species, most commonly in acts ofsexual cannibalism.[4]
Like the human consumption of insects (anthropo-entomophagy), arachnids as well asmyriapods also have a history of traditional consumption, eitheras food or medicine. Arachnids includespiders,scorpions andmites (includingticks) that are consumed by humans worldwide.[5]
Fried spider, primarilytarantula species, is a regional snack inCambodia. In Mexico, tarantula have been offered in tacos, with a splash of guacamole.[6] However, Mexican law forbids the sale of many species of tarantula for human consumption, and vendors offering this delicacy have been shut down by authorities.[7] In Venezuela, thePiaroa people have a history of eating theGoliath birdeater tarantula (Theraphosa blondi).[8]
Fried scorpion is traditionally eaten inShandong, China.[9] Other countries include Vietnam and Thailand.[8]
Milbenkäse is a German specialitycheese that is exposed tocheese mites during ripening, and on consumption often still has mites attached to the rind.[10]