Entomophagy facts for kids

Women selling cooked beetles in Zimbabwe.

Deep fried insects sold at food stall in Bangkok, Thailand.

Entomophagy is a term of Ancient Greek origins, and means using insects as a source of food. It can be found in insects that eat other insects, birds, amphibians and mammals. Non-human animals that feed on insects are known as insectivores.

The term also describes human insect-eating, which can be found in parts of North, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. Insect-eating is uncommon, or even taboo in some societies.

Images for kids

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  Robber fly feeding on wasp

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  Fried saturniid caterpillars being served on bread for human consumption

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  Entomophagy among animals: The giant anteater is a mammal specialized in eating insects

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  Human consumption of a cirina larva in Burkina Faso

See also

In Spanish: Entomofagia para niños