Entomophagy

Definition

The consumption of insects as food by humans or other animals. In human contexts, the term distinguishes intentional dietary use of insects from incidental ingestion; in ecology, it describes a trophic interaction where insects serve as prey. The practice spans diverse cultures and ecosystems, with species selection typically favoring abundant, easily harvested taxa such as grasshoppers, beetle larvae, or termites.

Etymology

From Greek entomon (insect) + phagein (to eat)

Example

Entomophagy is well-documented in the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) life cycle: adult workers consume pollen and nectar, while larvae are fed royal jelly, a glandular secretion derived from consumed pollen. Among humans, the mopane worm (Gonimbrasia belina, a saturniid caterpillar) represents a major seasonal protein source in southern African food systems.

Synonyms

• insectivory

Related Terms

• Insectivore
• Trophallaxis
• detritivory
• herbivory
• carnivory
• gut content analysis
• Food web

Usage Notes

Specialists often restrict 'entomophagy' to human consumption, using 'insectivory' for non-human animals; however, the terms overlap in ecological literature. Contrast with detritivory (feeding on dead organic matter) and herbivory (plant feeding). The adjectival form 'entomophagous' describes organisms that eat insects, including many predatory arthropods, birds, and mammals.