Edible insect traditions face decline and habitat threats

New research highlights both the nutritional potential and the growing challenges facing entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, across different regions.

In Zambia, a study of rural households in the Central province suggests that edible insects contribute significantly to food security and nutrition. However, the tradition has declined in recent years, particularly among younger generations. Researchers noted that while insects offer a sustainable food source, they are not well-integrated into mainstream economic practices and sometimes face social stigma. The study suggests that educated community leaders and public health initiatives could help promote the nutritional benefits of insects to improve livelihoods.

In Northeast India, specifically within Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland, indigenous communities rely on various insect species, including 75 documented species of edible beetles and weevils. A study published in npj Entomology noted that several of these species were recorded as edible for the first time globally. However, these populations are under threat. Approximately 79% of interviewed harvesters reported a decline in wood-boring beetles over the last decade, citing deforestation, habitat destruction, and commercial harvesting demand as primary causes.