Abstract

Insects constitute most of the biodiversity on earth and they provide a large range of services to our society. Unfortunately, this biodiversity is threatened by human activities such as the destruction of natural habitats and urbanization. This article assesses advances in our knowledge of the impact of insects on sustainable food production in low-income countries. It focuses on two research topics that have emerged in recent years: entomophagy and the creation of small household farms where insects can be reared and later sold (i.e., the Thai example) and their utilization for improving soil fertility and availability to plants (i.e., the Zai example). The article advocates for considering of the diversity of solutions and adaptations that have been found in nature. The utilization of natural resources by local communities or ethnic groups can be vast and should be seen as a source of inspiration for scientists to develop sustainable food systems.

Keywords:Biodiversity; Entomophagy; Food security; Ecosystem services