Insects or Insecta

In other products

Further information: Biorefinery

Insect larvae (i.e. black soldier fly larvae) can provide protein, grease, and chitin. The grease is usable in the pharmaceutical industry (cosmetics,^[150] surfactants for shower gel) -hereby replacing other vegetable oils as palm oil.^[151]

Also, insect cooking oil, insect butter and fatty alcohols can be made from such insects as the superworm (Zophobas morio).^[152][153]

As pets

Many species of insects are sold and kept as pets.

In culture

Main article: Insects in culture

Scarab beetles held religious and cultural symbolism in Old Egypt, Greece and some shamanistic Old World cultures. The ancient Chinese regarded cicadas as symbols of rebirth or immortality. In Mesopotamian literature, the epic poem of Gilgamesh has allusions to Odonata that signify the impossibility of immortality. Among the Aborigines of Australia of the Arrernte language groups, honey ants and witchety grubs served as personal clan totems. In the case of the 'San' bush-men of the Kalahari, it is the praying mantis that holds much cultural significance including creation and zen-like patience in waiting