What is Entomophagy?

[ttraub]

December 22, 2001
Updated April 16, 2002

Etymologically speaking, entomophagy appears to be a recently invented word based on "entomophagous" which according to Merriam-Webster means feeding on insects.

In practical terms, entomophagy is the eating of insects by humans, as richly and graphically described in the wonderful coffee table book Man Eating Bugs: The Art and Science of Eating Insects by Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio. Insects are a wonderful, tasty, nutritional and high protein food source and are under-utilized in the rich industrial countries. They are easy to grow and harvest, widely available, and easily prepared.

Ethically speaking, it seems less objectionable to consume insects. Mammals have complex, highly developed brains and feel emotions such as fear, anger, and joy; they dream, they have loyalty, trust, and hostility. Pigs are among the most highly intelligent mammals and yet they are killed every day by the thousands for human consumption.

Most people who eat animals give not a second thought to the pain and terror which mammals undergo on their way to our dinner table. Yet, people would react with horror and even nausea if handed a bowl of mealworms or a deep-fried tarantula. Unfortunately for the squeamish, we all ingest insects since the USDA allows a certain amount of insect parts to be present in processed food. Just think of it as a little extra protein in that loaf of "vegetarian" bread.

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