Insects as traditional foods in Japan

In Japan, the most popular edible insect is a grasshopper, Oxya yezoensis or O. japonica. It is consumed in large amount even at present. The grasshopper is rich in proteins. Mixtures of river‐living insect larvae are highly esteemed as favorite foods. The larvae and pupae of a wasp, Vespula lewisi, are consumed in considerable amounts. Pupae and female adults after oviposition of Bombyx mori are also consumed. The pupae are rich in nutrients. All of these insects are cooked with soy sauce and sugar, and are sold as canned foods. In addition to these insects, the larvae of cerambycid beetles are eaten by preference in countryside. Larvae of the dobsonfly, Protohermes grandis (Neuroptera) has been consumed as a traditional medicine.

Key words:

• Edible insects
• traditional insect foods
• Japanese insect foods
• food insects