Top 10 Arthropods You Won't Believe People Eat
Some arthropods may look disgusting, scary, or unappealing to most people. However, some of the most disgusting or scariest-looking arthropods are actually edible!
And who knows, they might even taste good!
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Mosquito
The word "mosquito" comes from Spanish and means "little fly." Mosquitoes are small flying insects known for transmitting numerous infectious diseases. These include malaria, yellow fever, chikungunya, West Nile virus, dengue fever, filariasis, and Zika virus, making mosquitoes one of the deadliest groups... read more
Mosquitoes are flies from the family Culicidae.
Ah, mosquitoes, the deadliest and most annoying animals ever. They seem useless, but they actually help maintain ecosystem balance by serving as food for certain animals. Surprisingly, humans also consume mosquitoes, specifically their eggs, as adult mosquitoes carry diseases. In Mexico, mosquito eggs are considered a delicacy!
One of these flew into my sister's mouth. She ate it.
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Tarantula
Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy arachnids belonging to the Theraphosidae family of spiders, of which more than 1,000 species have been identified. These spiders are found on every continent except Antarctica. They are known for their impressive size, and many species tend to avoid... read more
Tarantulas are spiders from the family Theraphosidae.
Just imagining people eating these hairy creatures is already disgusting, right? But believe it or not, people do eat tarantulas in Cambodia and Venezuela. They're said to taste like crab and have a nutty flavor.
I've eaten one before. It's not the best food ever, but not the worst.
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Cockroach
Cockroaches (or roaches) are a paraphyletic group of insects in the order Blattodea, which also includes termites. About 30 out of approximately 4,600 cockroach species are associated with human environments. Several of these species are considered pests due to their presence in homes and buildings.... read more
Cockroaches are insects from the order Blattodea.
This really, really, really disgusting insect is actually edible! However, not the ones we see every day. Everyday cockroaches carry bacteria and viruses, but cockroaches bred under laboratory conditions (and fed only fresh fruits and vegetables) can taste good and be healthy too.
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Fly
Flies are insects from the order Diptera.
Another annoying and disgusting insect, yet flies are actually a delicacy (not the adults, which carry diseases). The pupae of the common housefly are said to taste "sort of like black pudding."
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Centipede
Centipedes are arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda of the subphylum Myriapoda. They are mainly carnivorous and prey upon insects, spiders, small birds, rodents, and even other centipedes. Centipedes are found in a wide range of environments, from tropical rainforests to deserts.
Centipedes are arthropods from the subphylum Myriapoda, class Chilopoda.
Fried centipedes on sticks are eaten in China. Honestly, it's not surprising because many unusual foods are consumed in Chinese cuisine.
The simple fact that people eat these things makes me want to vomit!
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Wasp
Wasps are insects from the order Hymenoptera that are neither bees nor ants.
They're eaten in Japan. Both wasp larvae and adult wasps are edible. Wasp larvae are cooked in soy sauce and sugar and are said to taste sweet and crunchy. Adult wasps are used to make wasp crackers.
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Scorpion
Scorpions are arachnids from the order Scorpiones.
Scorpions are eaten in Thailand, Vietnam, and China. Like centipedes, they are fried on sticks.
I've seen lollipops with dead scorpions inside - and you can eat them.
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Ant
Many people worry about eating insects unintentionally, but ants usually keep themselves clean due to their sensitive antennae and grooming habits. However, some ants may carry contaminants, which is still a concern. If you accidentally eat an ant, consider it a good source of protein.
Ants are insects from the order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae.
Many different types of ants are eaten. Honeypot ants are consumed in Australia, while leafcutter ants are eaten in South America. They are said to taste sour because ants emit acid when threatened.
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Bee
Bees are flying insects in the order Hymenoptera that are essential for pollinating flowering plants. They play a vital role in agriculture and natural ecosystems by facilitating plant reproduction. Bees also produce honey and beeswax, and some species live in complex social colonies.
Bees are insects from the order Hymenoptera, close relatives of wasps and ants.
Bees are known for producing honey, which we eat, but the bees themselves are also edible. Adult bees are consumed in China as traditional medicine, while bee larvae are eaten in many countries across Asia, Central and Southern Africa, South America, and the West Indies.
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Dragonfly
Dragonflies are insects from the order Odonata, infraorder Anisoptera.
Dragonflies are eaten in China and Indonesia. They can be boiled or fried, and they're said to taste like soft-shell crab.
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Ladybug
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Butterfly
Butterflies are insects in the order Lepidoptera, along with moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly colored wings and a conspicuous, fluttering flight. They undergo complete metamorphosis, with life stages including egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult.
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Millipede
Millipedes are a group of arthropods characterized by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments. They are known scientifically as the class Diplopoda, a name derived from this distinctive feature. Millipedes are detritivores that primarily feed on decaying plant material and play a key role... read more