Bug diet worries experts<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (AFP): The growing popularity of insect eating in
\nThailand has begun to worry experts concerned about the possible
\nimpact on the environment.<\/p>\n
A two-year-old study has found that Thais, traditionally
\npartial to ants, giant water beetles and grasshoppers, have
\nrecently added 11 other insect species to their diet, the Bangkok
\nPost reported.<\/p>\n
Once confined to the rural poor in the north of the country,
\nbug-eating has now become fashionable among wealthy city Thais,
\naccording to research team leader Angoon Lewvanich.<\/p>\n
Species such as bamboo caterpillars now fetch as much as 1,000
\nbaht (25 dollars) per kilogram and everything from ants to
\nscorpions can be found in Bangkok's markets, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Several pollinators and predators have been accidentally
\nwiped out by pesticides,\" said Visuth Baimai, director of the
\nBiodiversity Research and Training Program.<\/p>\n
\"It is worrying to learn now that many insects which have
\nbecome popular as food are predators.\"<\/p>\n
A shortage of predators could lead to a proliferation of pest
\ninsects, he said, putting Thailand's delicate ecological balance
\nat risk.<\/p>\n
In nutritional terms however bug-eating was given the thumbs
\nup. The research team found protein levels compared favorably
\nwith prawns and freshwater fish.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bug-diet-worries-experts-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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