Arachnophagy

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
House gecko feeding on spider

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
See also: Arachnids as food
Arachnophagy is also found in human culture, describing the consumption of spiders ...
... or other arachnids like scorpions.
A wheel of young Milbenkäse

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
  1. 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.
  2. Barrion-Dupo, A. L. A. (2009). Arachnophagy by the Philippine scops-owl, Otus megalotis Walden. Philippine Entomologist, 23(2), 174-178.
  3. 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
  4. "¡A comer tarántula! (no en Camboya, sino en México)". www.animalgourmet.com (in Mexican Spanish). 27 February 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  5. "Aseguran tarántulas que serían convertidas en tacos | Animal Político". www.animalpolitico.com (in European Spanish). 15 August 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  6. NBC News/Beth Greenwald (27 Octobre 2011): 15 insects you won't believe are edible.
  7. Forney, Matthew (June 11, 2008). "Scorpions for Breakfast and Snails for Dinner". The New York Times.
  8. "Würchwitzer Milbenkäse". Slow Food Deutschland e.V.
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