Humans eating insects (entomophagy) is ancient and biologically real. Yet we still feel disgust toward bugs. What are the signs we evolved eating them — and why doesn’t that stop disgust?
Evidence We Evolved Eating Insects
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Chitinase genes in mammals
Early placental mammals had multiple working genes for chitin-digesting enzymes. Humans retain remnants of these. That points to insect-heavy diets in deep ancestry. (Berkeley News)
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Primates eating insects
Many extant nonhuman primates eat insects regularly. That suggests our common ancestors also did so. (Annual Reviews)
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Archaeological evidence
- Coprolites (fossilised droppings) show insect remains. (Wikipedia)
- Bone tools with wear marks consistent with digging up termite mounds. (Wikipedia)
- Art (cave paintings) depicting people collecting wild bee nests. (Wikipedia)
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Nutritional value and ecological utility
Insects are nutrient dense: good protein‐to‐fat ratios, useful micronutrients. Useful especially when large vertebrate meat was scarce. (Annual Reviews)
Why Disgust Persists Despite Evolution
- Disgust evolved for disease avoidance. Bugs often associate with decay, pathogens.
- Culture modifies perception: many societies learned to see insects as unclean or “not food.”
- Urban life severs daily exposure to insects, reinforcing unfamiliarity and fear.
- Morphological and sensory triggers (many legs, exoskeleton, movement) still activate innate aversion in many people.
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