Not Just a Fallback Food

Global Patterns of Insect Consumption

Julie J. Lesnik
Wayne State University
entomoanthro.org
@JulieLesnik
Introduction

Data

Results

Although the concept may seem strange in the United

States, Canada, and across Europe, entomophagy, or
the eating of insects, is practiced all around the world.
Perspective in non-entomophagous countries tends to
relegate edible insects as a resource used in marginal
environments, or areas not suitable for agriculture and
utilized by indigenous foraging peoples. When edible
insects remain as a traditional food, they are commonly
regarded as a fallback option.

Edible insect species worldwide. From Jongema 2014.5

ANOVA analysis determined the fit of regression

(p<0.01) and multiple regression analysis suggests that
anthropogenic biome is a poor predictor of insect
consumption (p=0.93) as is percentage of arable land
(p=0.38). However, latitude and population size both
significantly and independently predict rates of
consumption (p<0.01 each). Insects are consumed
more in tropical latitudes, which is consistent with
greater biodiversity providing more edible insect
options closer to the equator. Some of the worlds
most populous countries, such as China, India, and
Mexico, are also some of the largest insect consumers,
which may be related to food demand, but not
necessarily marginality.

This perspective that edible insects were replaced by

superior domesticates upon sedentism in fertile
environments is evidenced by the quotes below from
the Food and Agricultural Organizations formal report
on the benefits of insects as food.1

Variable
From the UN Food and Agricultural Organization:
It is thought that is was because of the utility of
domesticated animals] that the use of insects- besides
honeybees, silkworms, and scale insects- failed to gain
much traction in the West.
This pivotal change [to sedentary] lifestyle combined
with the uncertain nature of insects as a staple food
because of their seasonality, possibly contributed to the
loss of interest in insects as food.
The domestication of large animals (and plants) gave
Europeans a considerable advantage over other
regions, as evidenced by their worldwide conquests.
These conquests enabled Europeans to exert a major
influence on food production, with habits, knowledge,
techniques, and organisms, exported worldwide.

The above map reflects the number of edible insects

species consumed by country. In order to test the
relationship of this abundance of edible insects to
marginal environments, a multiple regression analysis
was conducted using the two following indicators of
marginality for each country:
1) Percentage of arable land (hectare per person) as
reported by the FAO in 2001, 2006, and 2011. Arable
land is defined as land under temporary crops,
temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land
under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily
fallow.3
2) Estimate of predominant anthropogenic biome. 4
Anthropogenic biomes. From Ellis & Rammankutty, 2008

An Anthropological Perspective

Percentage arable land (2006)

0.378

Anthropogenic biome

0.931

Population

0.000

Centroid latitude

0.000

Geographic area

0.670

Conclusion
Environmentally, edible insect abundance is not related
to marginality, but rater to tropical locality. It is
important to note that Western cultures reside in the
some of the only habitable landmass past the 45th
parallel; therefore, cultural Othering of insect-eating
cultures is not justified by their inability to produce
domesticates, but rather their decreased reliance on
these resources since tropical environments offer an
abundance of natural foods.

Unfortunately, the FAO refers to Jared Diamonds Guns,

Germs and Steel2 for matters relating to Western
culture. I aim here to bring in the anthropology
perspective, particularly ecological. Throughout the
whole FAO statement, it is inferred that meat is a
superior or preferred protein resource, which is clearly
an ethnocentric point of view.
Throughout my research, I have come to recognize
edible insects not as a fallback food, but as a food
sensu stricto. The value placed on edible insects is
different for every culture; in some places insects can
be highly regarded as a delicacy, and in others it is a
commonplace snack.

++

Mopane worms
and termites sold
at local market
alongside the
abundant locally
grown fruits and
vegetables in
Venda, Limpopo
South Africa

Therefore I aim to test the null hypothesis that there

is no significant relationship between edible insects
and marginal lands worldwide.

Sig.

Sampling
edible insects
in a mango
grove. Venda,
Limpopo,
South Africa.

Acknowledgements
Finally, population size, geographic area, and centroid
latitude were included as independent variables in the
analysis.

Boiling
termites as
preparation
for sale in local
markets in
Venda,
Limpopo,
South Africa

I would like to thank Yde Jongema for publishing all his

data on his personal webpage. Without this kind of
open access, I would not be able to have these
conversations. I am also grateful to Sara Juengst and
Liz Berger for inviting me to this session. Finally, I am
grateful to the Venda termite harvesters that have so
graciously shown me their trade.

References
1.
2.
3.
4.

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. 2013. Edible Insects: Future
Prospects for Food and Feed Security.
Diamond, Jared. Guns, Germs and Steel. 2005
The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. % arabale land at
data.worldbank.org
Ellis & Rammankutty. 2008. Anthropogenic biomes. Ecological Society of America. 6(8): 439447.