Edible insects in three different ethnic groups of Papua and New Guinea

Abstract

Insects used as human food in three different ethnic groups of Papua and New Guinea are listed and compared with each other. It is concluded that a) entomophagy has developed in Papua and New Guinea independently from Australian and African influences; b) the number of species consumed is proportional to population density; and c) the hazards of malnutrition could be eased by further and more extensive use of insects as human food.