Humans eating insects (entomophagy) is ancient and biologically real. Yet we still feel disgust toward bugs. What are the signs we evolved eating them — and why doesn’t that stop disgust?

Evidence We Evolved Eating Insects

1. Chitinase genes in mammals Early placental mammals had multiple working genes for chitin-digesting enzymes. Humans retain remnants of these. That points to insect-heavy diets in deep ancestry. (Berkeley News)
2. Primates eating insects Many extant nonhuman primates eat insects regularly. That suggests our common ancestors also did so. (Annual Reviews)
3. Archaeological evidence
   • Coprolites (fossilised droppings) show insect remains. (Wikipedia)
   • Bone tools with wear marks consistent with digging up termite mounds. (Wikipedia)
   • Art (cave paintings) depicting people collecting wild bee nests. (Wikipedia)
4. Nutritional value and ecological utility Insects are nutrient dense: good protein‐to‐fat ratios, useful micronutrients. Useful especially when large vertebrate meat was scarce. (Annual Reviews)

Why Disgust Persists Despite Evolution

• Disgust evolved for disease avoidance. Bugs often associate with decay, pathogens.
• Culture modifies perception: many societies learned to see insects as unclean or “not food.”
• Urban life severs daily exposure to insects, reinforcing unfamiliarity and fear.
• Morphological and sensory triggers (many legs, exoskeleton, movement) still activate innate aversion in many people.

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