Lyla Lindsey
Australia is known as the insect capital of the world, with a diverse range of bugs and insects. While the idea of eating insects may be unappealing to some, it is a common practice in many parts of the world, including Australia, where insects have been a staple in Indigenous Australians' diets for thousands of years. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the potential of insects as a sustainable and nutritious food source. This has led to the approval of certain insects for human consumption in Australia, and the establishment of the country's first edible insect farm. With concerns about the environmental impact of traditional protein sources and a growing demand for alternative options, insects may play a significant role in meeting future food production requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of insect species eaten by Indigenous Australians | 60 |
| Insects eaten by Indigenous Australians | Witchetty grubs, green ants, bogong moths, honey pot ants, super mealworms, house crickets, mealworm beetles, moth larvae, grasshoppers, chocolate-coated ants, rhinoceros beetles, slaters, stick insects, sugar ants, termites, mantids, millipedes, spiders |
| Insects farmed for animal feed | Black soldier fly larvae |
| Insects eaten by bearded dragons | Crickets, flying insects |
| Insects considered disgusting by older Australians | Moths, fly larvae |
| Insects considered acceptable by younger Australians | Crickets, grasshoppers |
| Insects considered acceptable by Australians who are willing to try them | Insect-based flours, chocolate-coated ants, crickets |
| Insects considered unacceptable by Australians | Moths, fly larvae |
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What You'll Learn
Insects as a food source for humans
Insects are a sustainable, nutritious, and delicious food source, eaten by more than two billion people worldwide, mostly in the tropics. They have been a staple in Indigenous Australians' diets for tens of thousands of years. However, despite insects being eaten by a large portion of the global population, they are not commonly found on Aussie menus. This may be due to the "'ick' factor", with many older Australians viewing the practice of eating insects as disgusting and incompatible with their personal beliefs.
There are over 60 insect species that have been recorded as a traditional food source for Indigenous Australians, including witchetty grubs, bogong moths, honey pot ants, and green ants. In recent times, three insect varieties have been approved for human consumption in Australia: super mealworms, house crickets, and mealworm beetles. These insects can be grown and processed whole, ground, or in paste form, and can be eaten in their adult or larvae form.
While some people may be reluctant to try insects due to the "ick" factor, research has shown that Australians have begun to adopt a more positive outlook towards insect-based foods, particularly those who have already tried them. Of those surveyed, 35% had previously eaten insects, most commonly crickets and grasshoppers. People who had already tried insects were also more open to eating them again, suggesting that a "'taste' for bugs can be developed".
Insects as a food source offer several benefits. Firstly, they are highly sustainable, requiring less water and feed than traditional livestock such as cows, pigs, and chickens, and producing only 5% of the carbon emissions that cows do. Secondly, there is far less wastage with insects, as the whole insect can be eaten, unlike with cows, where only 40% of the body is considered edible. Finally, insects are a good source of protein, which is becoming increasingly important as the global demand for protein is expected to increase by 76% by 2050.
While the current cost of farming insects for human consumption in Australia is high, and demand is low, there is potential for growth in the industry, especially as more people adopt plant-based diets. Insects may also be used as additives in other products, such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, due to their nutritional properties.
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Insects as a food source for animals
Insects are a viable food source for animals and humans, and they have been consumed by Indigenous Australians for centuries. However, the idea of eating insects is often met with disgust in Western cultures, and this "ick factor" may prevent insects from becoming a mainstream food source in Australia. Nevertheless, insects have been approved for human consumption in Australia, and they are also used for animal feed.
Insects as food for animals
Insects are a good source of protein and can be used as additives in animal feed. Black soldier fly larvae are commonly farmed for animal feed in Australia. Insects such as crickets and mealworms require less water and feed than traditional livestock like cows, pigs, and chickens, and they produce a fraction of the carbon emissions. Additionally, there is less wastage with insects, as the whole insect can be eaten, unlike cows, where only 40% is typically considered edible.
Insects can also be ground or processed into a paste to be added to animal feed. When importing insects for animal feed, they must be dead and heat-treated to comply with regulations. Insect farming must be undertaken in a controlled environment with adequate ventilation, lighting, temperature, and humidity. Water and feed supply must be controlled according to the needs of the insects, and hygienic practices must be maintained to prevent the spread of diseases.
In addition to their use in animal feed, insects can also be used in cosmetic products. The cosmetic industry could utilise insects as ingredients due to their nutritional properties. Overall, insects have the potential to become a more significant part of the animal feed and cosmetic industries in Australia, especially as they offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly protein source.
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Insects as an ingredient in cosmetics
Insects are already used as an ingredient in cosmetics, although this may not be common knowledge. The use of insects in cosmetics is an alternative to synthetic and inorganic chemical ingredients, which can have serious health impacts on the skin and hair.
There are many benefits to using insects in cosmetics. Firstly, insects are an excellent source of lipids, which can be used in cosmetic formulations. Insect lipids are comparable to macadamia nut oils and have antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal properties. Insect fats can be used to create hand creams, hair sprays, and other skincare products. The specific type of insect and its feeding substrate determine the fatty acid profile of the lipids, which means that the desired fatty acid composition can be achieved by selecting the appropriate insect species.
Another advantage of using insects in cosmetics is that they are environmentally friendly. Insects require less water than other sources of lipids, such as crops, and they do not compete with crops for food production. Additionally, insects have a high biomass production and can produce high-fat contents, similar to coconut oil and palm kernel oil. Insect breeding also produces much less CO2 emissions than crop cultivation.
Some specific examples of insect-derived ingredients in cosmetics include carmine, a red dye found in lipsticks, blushes, and even some food items, which is extracted from crushed cochineal scale insects. Shellac is another example, made from the secretions of female lac bugs, and used in nail polishes, hairsprays, and other cosmetic and skincare products. Snail mucin, or snail slime, is a natural secretion produced by snails and is known for its hydrating and anti-aging properties. It is often found in serums, moisturizers, masks, and creams.
While the use of insects in cosmetics may offer many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks. For example, some people may find the idea of using insect-derived ingredients in their cosmetics unappealing or unpleasant. Additionally, the current cost of farming insects for human consumption is high, and the demand is low, which has contributed to slow growth in the industry.
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Insects as a food source for wildlife
Insects are a vital food source for many creatures in the wild, and Australia is no exception. With over 2,000 species of insects, Australia offers a diverse range of food sources for its wildlife. From the mighty Rhinoceros Beetle to the tiny sugar ant, insects play a crucial role in sustaining the country's ecosystems.
One of the most prominent insects in Australia's food web is the stick insect. With around 150 species, these masters of camouflage feed on leaves, blending seamlessly with their surroundings. Their leafy diet makes them an essential food source for predators that have learned to spot them. Mantids, found in grass, leaves, and veggie patches, are another predator that relies on the abundance of insects in Australia.
Australia is also home to a variety of beetles, including the Rhinoceros Beetle, which, at 7cm in length, is the country's largest. These beetles play a role in the diet of larger animals, such as the Wild Bearded Dragon, a desert-dwelling lizard. While the dragon's diet may consist of flying insects, it's safe to assume that the mighty Rhinoceros Beetle, with its impressive size, could be an occasional hearty meal.
In addition to the larger insects, smaller species also play a crucial role in the food chain. Sugar ants, ranging from 2.5 to 18mm in length, are a potential food source for smaller creatures. As the weather warms, termites emerge from their underground colonies, providing a feast for animals that rely on their protein-rich bodies.
While insects are a traditional food source for Indigenous Australians, they have not gained mainstream acceptance as a food source for humans in the country. However, with the growing concern for environmental sustainability and healthy dietary habits, there is a shift towards a more positive outlook on insect-based foods among younger Australians.
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Insects as a food source for pets
Insects are a novel and increasingly popular food source for pets. They are a complete animal protein, containing all nine essential amino acids, as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are also a good source of essential fatty acids, providing an optimal Omega 3:6 balance.
Insects have several advantages over traditional animal farming systems. They require less water and feed, have a lower carbon footprint, and can be reared on a smaller plot of land. Insects can also feed on organic waste products, such as vegetables, restaurant waste, and even other animal waste, reducing the amount of excess food produced by humans. They are also very efficient at converting feed into protein.
There is a growing number of insect-based pet food products on the market, including cat and dog food, as well as pet treats. In 2021, the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) approved the use of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) insects in pet food for adult dogs. In Europe, insects have been approved for use in fish feed.
However, there is a lack of research on the effects of insects on pet health and nutrition. There are also concerns about the technologies used to produce and incorporate insect-based ingredients in pet food, as well as the regulations that allow their use in animal feed. Insects can contain toxins, bacteria, pesticides, allergens, and anti-nutrients, although the amounts of these contaminants are minimal and mostly eliminated during production.
In Australia, indigenous people have traditionally eaten a variety of native insects, including witchetty grubs and green ants. While insects have not become a mainstream part of the Australian diet, they have been approved as animal feed. Insect farming in Australia has primarily focused on black soldier fly larvae for this purpose.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2024, Australia approved three insects for human consumption: super mealworms, house crickets, and mealworm beetles. These insects may be eaten whole, grounded, or in paste form.
Outside of these three, more than 60 different native insect species, such as witchetty grubs, green ants, and bogong moths, are known to be consumed by Indigenous Australians.
Spiders in Australia eat flies.
It is assumed that the main food intake for wild Bearded Dragons in the Australian desert would be some sort of flying insect.
