Insects
Introduction
Insects are an extremely important part of the ecological cycle. They play an important part in the food web. Together with Fungi, they are the main waste recyclers. They are also pollinators and food for other creatures. Think you know about insects. Think again!
Insects contain a lot of valuable nutrients and protein and are edible for all (humans and animals). So the question is why not farm them? Many cultures include insects in their diets. Some have done this for centuries and others have adopted this more recently. Either way farming insects has many benefits and contributes to a more sustainable society, as insects hold one of the keys to a creating a zero-waste society.
Open your mind and let insects convince you that they are a great option for your protein intake for this new generation. The world of insect farming is vast and has lots to offer you if you get to know them – you can even learn how to cook them to your own taste!
In this section you can find out the answer to these questions:
What insects are and what role they play in nature.
Where insects are eaten in various parts of the world, how many are consumed and by whom.
How insects can feed humanity.
What people are already doing with insects across the globe.
How to grow and cook insects.
Other applications for insects.
At the bottom of the page we have included some questions to help you with your learning and please use the forum to answer the forum questions or to post questions of your own to the community learning with you.
So many Insects!
What insects are eaten around the world?
https://edibug.wordpress.com/list-of-edible-insects/
Are edible insects contributing to food security?
http://agricultureandfoodsecurity.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40066-015-0041-5
What role do insects play in nature?
Why are insects important?
The Importance of insects (AD)
How can insects feed humanity?
Documentary: Can insects save the world?
Asap Science: Should we all be eating insects
TEDx is talking about eating insects
Future of food
Are insects the future food?
Why not insects?
What are people doing about it?
Millibeter in Belgium
Bugs taste test in Thailand
Insects as food in Central Africa
Insect growing videos
GROW THEM …..
How to grow your own Edible Insects – Samia ricini – in a greenhouse
Farming edible insects – Instructional video for farmers in Laos
Al Jazeerah at Wageningen University, Proti-farm and at a restaurant
Or cook them!
Delicios or disgusting?
- Insect cookbook: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-insect-cookbook/9780231166843
3 Cricket recipes
Thai recipe
In your pasta
Insects and other interesting applications
Plastic eating bugs! How insects can help reduce our plastic waste
http://environment.yale.edu/yer/article/mealworms-and-their-plasticseating-super-power#gsc.tab=0
Silkworms: Feeding silkworms graphene or single-walled carbon nanotubes to produce a new material
Pest control using bugs
Forum questions:
- Why are insects so abundant in nature?
- Compare and discuss insect growing and cattle raising.
- How do you think insect production could make our society more sustainable
- How do you see insects in Vertical Farming?
- How would you promote insect intake? Why are some people not very convinced?