2006-07-31 14:54:41 · 16 answers · asked by jessie b 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
I don't think so.. scientists have found insects to be high in protein, in fact.
2006-07-31 14:57:45 · answer #1 · answered by Sponged 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others have said, it depends on which insects! Many caterpillars for example eat poisonous plants, and are able to retain the poison throughout life (Ex: Monarch Butterfly). While other insects may be have potentially harmful venom (bees, wasps). And of course one wouldn't want to eat an insect or plant from a toxic environment where they could've picked up something that would be harmful (say a grasshopper from the local dump).
But otherwise, many of us eat insects everyday - without even realizing it! Insects are often processed along with grains and end up in cerial, bread, and other food products! Many enjoy eating arthropod relatives of insects (shrimp, lobster, crayfish).
Lastly, I have a camping cookbook with some recipes for cooking grasshoppers, Cicadas (flylike insects that chirp all night long in the trees), and dragonfly larvae! Haven't been tempted to try these, but the Cicada recipe simply says to pull of the wings, and fry the body up in hot oil - they are supposed to have a nutty flavor.
2006-07-31 16:42:55 · answer #2 · answered by gshprd918 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
Some people eat only insects. In fact bugs have much more protein per pound than cows or chicken.
I have eaten a live ant once (they taste sour and bite your tongue)
For poisonous insects than you might want to be careful. However i have heard of people eating scorpions after cutting off the tails.
2006-07-31 15:00:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
generally, no. insects are protein, just like foods we eat more commonly. But eating bugs is really icky.
HOWEVER, some people are allergic to some insects.
That person could be harmed by eating certain insects.
2006-07-31 14:59:05 · answer #4 · answered by nickipettis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so unless they're poisonous or something. For me though, the side effect would be vomiting! Yuck! Actually some bugs and insects are good sources of protein...or so I've heard.
2006-07-31 14:58:44 · answer #5 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe, yes. But I know for sure that humans all eat almost ate an amount of one pound of insect without even knowing they did! I dont know how that happens but I read it in my cousin's yearbook. They have this part of the book where they put in the news and discoveries of the year. Pretty gross.
2006-07-31 14:59:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was told in a hunter's safety course that you can eat grasshoppers, the guy even told us how to "gut" them, then said to fry them up and enjoy. I've never eaten one, but I'm sure they wouldn't be all that bad for you. After all, they're part of the food chain just like everything else.
2006-07-31 15:00:29 · answer #7 · answered by chamely_3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they're poisonous to eat(and many are), then yes.
Otherwise, no.
Research a bug before you eat it. And cooking it couldn't hurt, either; it's probably not necessary, but may help prevent the bugs from biting your tongue or some such thing (since they'll be dead after cooking).
2006-07-31 14:58:18 · answer #8 · answered by extton 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some insects can in fact be poisonous. BE CAREFUL!
2006-07-31 14:59:30 · answer #9 · answered by razbora03 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends which insects your talking about i never heard of any one eating a scorpion
2006-07-31 15:01:36 · answer #10 · answered by Neil G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋