Insects have been consumed globally for millennia. This is because they are considered delicious and nutritious in many cultures. Insects are eaten by people at all ranges of the socioeconomic spectrum and are considered delicacies in many countries.
According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (UN FAO) insects are consumed by over 2 billion people in over 80% of the countries around the globe. More than 2,000 species have been reported to be edible and it is likely that many more of the 1 million plus species will be categorized as edible in the future. (source: UN FAO, Edible insects: Future prospects for food and feed security, 2013)
From grasshoppers and ants in Mexico to fried locusts in Thailand, caterpillars in Africa and waterbugs in China, insects are a normal part of the food culture in many countries. We are now starting to see an increase of insect consumption in the western world. From cricket flour in consumer packaged goods to whole insects showing up on restaurant menus, people are rapidly embracing the idea of this ancient practice having a place at the modern table.