Why eat insects
Insects as a natural resource
Insects as a natural resource
Edible insects inhabit a large variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems and farmed land to forests. Until recently, insects were a seemingly inexhaustible resource obtainable by harvesting from nature. However, some edible insect species are now in peril. A number of anthropogenic factors, such as overharvesting, pollution, wildfire and habitat degradation, have contributed to a decline in many edible insect populations. Climate change will likely affect the distribution and availability of edible insects in ways that are still relatively unknown. This publication includes case studies from several regions on the conservation strategies and semi-cultivation practices of rural people to protect insect species and their host plants. Such efforts contribute to improved habitat conservation.
Why eat insects?
Overall, entomophagy can be promoted for three reasons:
· Health:
Insects are healthy, nutritious alternatives to mainstream staples such as chicken, pork, beef and even fish (from ocean catch)
Many insects are rich in protein and good fats and high in calcium, iron and zinc
Insects already form a traditional part of many regional and national diets.
· Environmental:
Insects promoted as food emit considerably fewer greenhouse gases (GHGs) than most livestock (methane, for instance, is produced by only a few insect groups, such as termites and cockroaches).
Insect rearing is not necessarily a land-based activity and does not require landclearing to expand production. Feed is the major requirement for land.
The ammonia emissions associated with insect rearing are also far lower than those linked to conventional livestock, such as pigs.
Because they are cold-blooded, insects are very efficient at converting feed into protein (crickets, for example, need 12 times less feed than cattle, four times less feed than sheep, and half as much feed as pigs and broiler chickens to produce the same amount of protein).
· Insects can be fed on organic waste streams.
Livelihoods (economic and social factors): Insect harvesting/rearing is a low-tech, low-capital investment option that offers entry even to the poorest sections of society, such as women and the landless. Minilivestock offer livelihood opportunities for both urban and rural people. Insect rearing can be low-tech or very sophisticated, depending on the level of investment.
Insects as a natural resource
Edible insects inhabit a large variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems and farmed land to forests. Until recently, insects were a seemingly inexhaustible resource obtainable by harvesting from nature. However, some edible insect species are now in peril. A number of anthropogenic factors, such as overharvesting, pollution, wildfire and habitat degradation, have contributed to a decline in many edible insect populations. Climate change will likely affect the distribution and availability of edible insects in ways that are still relatively unknown. This publication includes case studies from several regions on the conservation strategies and semi-cultivation practices of rural people to protect insect species and their host plants. Such efforts contribute to improved habitat conservation.
Why eat insects?
Overall, entomophagy can be promoted for three reasons:
· Health:
Insects are healthy, nutritious alternatives to mainstream staples such as chicken, pork, beef and even fish (from ocean catch)
Many insects are rich in protein and good fats and high in calcium, iron and zinc
Insects already form a traditional part of many regional and national diets.
· Environmental:
Insects promoted as food emit considerably fewer greenhouse gases (GHGs) than most livestock (methane, for instance, is produced by only a few insect groups, such as termites and cockroaches).
Insect rearing is not necessarily a land-based activity and does not require landclearing to expand production. Feed is the major requirement for land.
The ammonia emissions associated with insect rearing are also far lower than those linked to conventional livestock, such as pigs.
Because they are cold-blooded, insects are very efficient at converting feed into protein (crickets, for example, need 12 times less feed than cattle, four times less feed than sheep, and half as much feed as pigs and broiler chickens to produce the same amount of protein).
· Insects can be fed on organic waste streams.
Livelihoods (economic and social factors): Insect harvesting/rearing is a low-tech, low-capital investment option that offers entry even to the poorest sections of society, such as women and the landless. Minilivestock offer livelihood opportunities for both urban and rural people. Insect rearing can be low-tech or very sophisticated, depending on the level of investment.