Arachnophagy (/əˈræknɒfədʒi/, from Greek ἀράχνη aráchnē, 'spider', and φαγεῖν phagein, 'to eat') describes a feeding behaviour that includes arachnids. Aside from non-human creatures, the term can also refer to the practice of eating arachnids among humans.[1]
In non-humans
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Arachnophagy is widespread among many animals, especially reptiles and birds. For example, arachnophagy is described among Philippine scops owls that feed on spider species such as Heteropoda venatoria.[2]
In humans
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Like the human consumption of insects (anthropo-entomophagy), arachnids as well as myriapods also have a history of traditional consumption, either as food or medicine. Arachnids include spiders, scorpions and mites (including ticks) that are consumed by humans worldwide.[3]
Fried spider, primarily tarantula species, is a regional snack in Cambodia. In Mexico, tarantula have been offered in tacos, with a splash of guacamole.[4] However, Mexican law forbids the sale of many species of tarantula for human consumption, and vendors offering this delicacy have been shut down by authorities.[5] In Venezuela, the Piaroa people have a history of eating the Goliath birdeater tarantula (Theraphosa blondi).[6]
Fried scorpion is traditionally eaten in Shandong, China.[7] Other countries include Vietnam and Thailand.[6]
Milbenkäse is a German speciality cheese that is exposed to cheese mites during ripening, and on consumption often still has mites attached to the rind.[8]
References
edit- ^ Christopher Healey, Margaret Florey (2003): Alune arachnophagy and approaches to spiders among an eastern Indonesian people. In: Journal of ethnobiology. Vol. 23, pp. 1–22.
- ^ Barrion-Dupo, A. L. A. (2009). Arachnophagy by the Philippine scops-owl, Otus megalotis Walden. Philippine Entomologist, 23(2), 174-178.
- ^ E.M. Costa-Neto, N.T. Grabowski (27 November 2020): Edible arachnids and myriapods worldwide – updated list, nutritional profile and food hygiene implications. In: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed: 0 (0), pp. 1-20. doi: https://doi.org/10.3920/JIFF2020.0046
- ^ "¡A comer tarántula! (no en Camboya, sino en México)". www.animalgourmet.com (in Mexican Spanish). 27 February 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
- ^ "Aseguran tarántulas que serían convertidas en tacos | Animal Político". www.animalpolitico.com (in European Spanish). 15 August 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
- ^ a b NBC News/Beth Greenwald (27 October 2011): 15 insects you won't believe are edible.
- ^ Forney, Matthew (June 11, 2008). "Scorpions for Breakfast and Snails for Dinner". The New York Times.
- ^ "Würchwitzer Milbenkäse". Slow Food Deutschland e.V.