Entomophagy (/ˌɛntəˈmɒfədʒi/, from Greekἔντομονéntomon, 'insect', andφαγεῖνphagein, 'to eat') is the practice of eatinginsects. An alternative term isinsectivory.[1][2] Terms for organisms that practice entomophagy areentomophage andinsectivore.
Entomophagy is sometimes defined to also include the eating ofarthropods other than insects, such asarachnids andmyriapods; eating arachnids may also be referred to asarachnophagy.
Entomophagy is scientifically described as widespread among non-human primates and common among many human communities.[3] The scientific term describing the practice of eating insects by humans isanthropo-entomophagy.[7] The eggs, larvae,pupae, and adults of certaininsects have been eaten by humans from prehistoric times to the present day.[8] Around 3,000ethnic groups practice entomophagy.[9] Human insect-eating (anthropo-entomophagy) is common to cultures in most parts of the world, includingCentral andSouth America,Africa,Asia,Australia, andNew Zealand. Eighty percent of the world's nations eat insects of 1,000 to 2,000 species.[10][11]FAO has registered some 1,900edible insect species and estimates that there were, in 2005, some two billion insect consumers worldwide. FAO suggests eating insects as a possible solution toenvironmental degradation caused bylivestock production.[12]
In some societies, primarilywestern nations, entomophagy is uncommon ortaboo.[13][14][15][16][17][18] Today, insect eating is uncommon in North America and Europe, but insects remain a popular food elsewhere, and some companies are trying to introduceinsects as food intoWestern diets.[19] A recent analysis of Google Trends data showed that people in Japan have become increasingly interested in entomophagy since 2013.[20]
^Poinar, G.O. (1986). "Entomophagous Nematodes".Fortschritte der Zoologie.32:95–121.
^Domnas, Aristotle J.; Warner, Steven A. (1991). "Biochemical Activities of Entomophagous Fungi".Critical Reviews in Microbiology.18 (1):1–13.doi:10.3109/10408419109113507.PMID1854431.
^Saggers, S. & Gray, D. (1991).Aboriginal Health & Society: The Traditional and Contemporary Aboriginal Struggle for Better Health. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.ISBN978-1-86373-057-0.[page needed]
Domnas, Aristotle J.; Warner, Steven A. (1991). "Biochemical Activities of Entomophagous Fungi".Critical Reviews in Microbiology.18 (1):1–13.doi:10.3109/10408419109113507.PMID1854431.
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