In a rural area of Zambia, where eating insects has long been a part of local food culture, reviving the practice could help households improve food security — though its potential would depend on how widely insect-eating is embraced by the mainstream, a new study suggests. Researchers John Nyawali and Jasper Knight, from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, surveyed 139 rural households in Zambia’s Central province to understand the types and quantities of insects eaten by people. They found that edible insects contribute to household food security and nutrition, but that the tradition of entomophagy, or the eating of insects as food, has declined in recent years, especially among younger people. The study notes that while insects have the potential to contribute to sustainable food systems, they aren’t well-integrated into mainstream economic and dietary practices, thus “limiting their potential to contribute to sustainable livelihoods, food security and wellbeing.” In some cultures, entomophagy is sometimes stigmatized as primitive or associated with poverty, the study notes. But in Zambia, the researchers found that households with higher levels of education consumed more insects compared to those with less education, suggesting that educated community leaders may be able to help communicate the economic and nutritional importance of entomophagy. In an email interview with Mongabay, co-author Knight said another great way for entomophagy to gain traction in communities is to link it more closely with existing community-based public health initiatives, such as AIDS awareness, mother and baby health care, and primary school…This article was originally published on Mongabay