ENTOMOLOGY 2040 SECTION XI INSECTS AS FOOD

LEARNING OBJECTIVES OF SECTION

After completing this section students should be able to:

• Discuss the possibility of using insects as a source of human protein.

• Describe the differences in the public attitude toward using insects as a food source between western cultures and other cultures in the world.

• Describe the nutritional value of insects as a food source in regard to protein, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins.

• Discuss the potential problems, including the negative public attitude, in using insects as food.

• List some of the insects groups currently used as food by people from eastern cultures, and Describe some of the ways in which insects are prepared for eating.

• Discuss the potential for using insects as a food or humans or other animals here in the U.S.

Terms: Mopani worms, bamboo worms, giant water bugs, protein, vitamins.

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Insects As Food (Chocolate Covered Ants and Other Goodies).

    1. Prejudices.

    2. Insect contamination in normal foods.

    3. Insect groups that have been eaten.

    4. Nutritional value of insects as food.

        a. Protein.

        b. Fats.

        c. Carbohydrates.

        d. Vitamins A, Bl, B2, D.

    5. Digestive problems.

    6. Efficiency of insect food conversion.

    7. Types of food possible.

    8. Potential insects for food use.

    9. Waste recycling.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. In what areas of the world are insects most often eaten as a food source?

2. In the video clip from "Lonesome Dove" what was the initial reaction of the old cowboys to the food they were offered by the cook? What type of insect did he offer them? What was their final reaction? What would be your reaction?

3. How do insects compare with other animals in regard to the efficiency of conversion of their food source to protein?

4. What are Mopani worms? In what country are they eaten?

5. According to the video "The Alien Empire" in countries where insects form a part of the diet, what percentage of the protein in their diet comes from insects?

6. In the video "The Alien Empire", why were the giant water bugs tied up?

7. In the video "The Alien Empire" how were the hornet larvae prepared for eating?

8. In the U.S. what approach do you think would offer the best chance of increasing the use of insects as a protein source?

9. Why do you think people in the U.S. are so prejudiced against eating insects (while eating crawfish, lobsters and other aquatic scavengers)?

10. Have you ever knowingly eaten an insect? If one was prepared as a food item would you try it?

Go to Section XII - Detrimental Effects of Insects to Plants

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