Work

Attitudes toward entomophagy in the South Pacific

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Research on attitudes toward edible insects among non-entomophagous cultures has a significant European bias. No such research has examined attitudes in the Pacific Small Island Developing States, where the potential benefits of insect farming for food and particularly for feed are larger. Understanding these attitudes can help promote edible insects effectively and appropriately. This study examined populations from Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and other states via online questionnaires for their attitudes towards insects as food or feed, food neophobia, food variety seeking tendencies and specific attitudes to indirect entomophagy. Attitudes were hypothesised to be diverse and correlated with the presence or absence of traditional entomophagy. Views toward eating insects directly were generally negative, while views towards eating animals fed insects as feed were more positive. Religious prohibitions against eating insects or animal products strongly and negatively influenced attitudes toward direct entomophagy. Importantly, perceptions of edible insects as a means of experiencing culture had positive effects. Such perceptions were highest among Ni-Vanuatu and Solomon Islanders, who were also most likely to have tried edible insects, especially the elders. Strategies to improve reception towards insects as food in the Pacific Islands include promoting them as a means to experience traditional culture, when appropriate and providing guidance to interested local people on which local species are safe to eat and how to eat them. Advice on future research questions and survey designs is provided.

Source: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed

DOI: 10.1163/23524588-bja10463