Insect

{{significantly problematic}}{{expand}}<includeonly>[[Category:Outline]]</includeonly>{{fun}}{{biology}}
:''Not to be confused with [[Incest]]''.
'''Insects''' (class {{hint|Greek, literally 'six legs'|'''Hexapoda'''}}) are a group of arthropods that have six legs, three parts to their bodies (head, thorax and abdomen), two antennae and compound eyes. Many have wings, depending on the life cycle and group. The study of insects is called ''entomology'', which is [http://xkcd.com/1012/ not to be confused] with [[etymology]] (the study of the origins of words) or ethology (the scientific study of animal behavior).

==In the Bible==
Insects appear here and there throughout the [[Bible]]. These include:

===Fowls that creep===
{{cquote|<bible book=Leviticus chapter=11 verse1=20/>}}
The "fowls" in the above [[King James Version]] passage are generally considered to actually refer to (flying) insects, although of course insects don't walk on four legs. This is arguably an [[Scientific errors in the Bible|error]] on the authors' part, though this is debatable.

===Ants===
{{rquote|right|<bible book=Proverbs chapter=6 verse1=6 verse2=8/>}}
These most amazing of all creatures are mentioned only in the Proverbs, in {{bible|Proverbs|6|6}} and {{bible|Proverbs|30|25}}. Even the authors of these passages realised that ants are strong and prudent, and to be looked up to.<ref>[http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/ant.html]</ref>

===Bees===
While not quite as good as ants, bees do feature more prominently in the Bible. However, they are not viewed in as positive a light as ants. They are first mentioned in a passage noting that the [[Israel]]ites had been pursued by the Amorites like a swarm of bees.<ref>{{Bible|Deuteronomy|1|44}}</ref> Later on, Israel's enemy, the Assyrians, will be compared to a bee, while the [[Egypt]]ians (also enemies) will be compared to flies.<ref>{{bible|Isaiah|7|18}}</ref> The [[Mormon]]s have a thing for Deseret, though.

===Beetles===
[[God]] may love beetles,<ref>"God is most likely to take trouble over reproducing his own image, and his 400,000 attempts at the perfect beetle contrast with his slipshod creation of man. When we meet the Almighty face to face he will resemble a beetle." Kenneth and Doris Kermack recalling [[J. B. S. Haldane]], as quoted by [[Stephen Jay Gould]] (''The Linnean'', August 1992).</ref> but they only appear once in the Bible in a passage telling the reader that they are edible.<ref>{{bible|Leviticus|11|22}} All ye faithful should try eating a {{wpl|Bombardier beetle}} which releases a 100°C toxic chemical stew when disturbed!</ref> And the passage probably isn't even talking about them.<ref>[http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/beetle.html]</ref>

===Locusts===
Perhaps the most popular [[kind]] of insect in the Bible, the locust appears repeatedly in plague form,<ref>{{bible|Exodus|10|15}}</ref><ref>{{bible|Judges|6|5}}</ref><ref>{{bible|Joel|2|6}}</ref> as food,<ref>{{bible|Matthew|3|4}}</ref> and even as a tribulation in Revelation.<ref>{{bible|Revelation|9|3}}</ref> However, in several cases 'locust' is a mistranslation of something else, or some other word is a mistranslation of 'locust'.

==As food==
[[File:Bamboo worms on plate.png|thumb|right|165px|Deep-fried {{wpl|crambidae}} larvae (aka "bamboo worms"), commonly eaten in [[Thailand]].]]
Insects are commonly eaten as food by many cultures around the world. Grasshoppers and termites are widely eaten across [[Africa]], giant skipper caterpillars are considered a delicacy in [[Mexico]], and military manuals even suggest eating insects when no other food source is available.<ref>[https://www.si.edu/spotlight/buginfo/insects-food Insects as Food for Humans], ''Smithsonian''</ref> While many Americans are squeamish about eating insects, it's a fact that everyone eats insects and insect parts without noticing due to them inevitably contaminating foods during production.<ref>[https://www.rd.com/list/foods-secretly-contain-insects/ 13 Common Foods That Could Secretly Contain Insects], Brooke Nelson Alexander, ''Reader's Digest'' 9 December 2022</ref> Despite this, there's always a [[moral panic]] that flares up whenever it is suggested that people should eat insects,<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320280993_Understanding_Westerners'_disgust_for_the_eating_of_insects_The_role_of_food_neophobia_and_implicit_associations Understanding Westerners' disgust for the eating of insects: The role of food neophobia and implicit associations], Francesco La Barbera et al., 2018 ''Food Quality and Preference'' 64. 120-125. 10.1016/j.foodqual.2017.10.002.</ref> usually as a suggestion to make food supplies more sustainable and reduce [[global warming]].<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9689975/ The Motivations for Consumption of Edible Insects: A Systematic Review], Sofia G. Florença et al., ''Foods'' 2022 Nov 15;11(22):3643. doi: 10.3390/foods11223643. PMID: 36429235; PMCID: PMC9689975.</ref>

==See also==
*[[Crustacean]]
*[[God Hates Shrimp]]
*[[Insects during the global flood]]
*[[Mollusc]]
*[[Colony collapse disorder]] (bees)
*[[The Ant]] (Surah)
*[[The Ant and the Peacock]]

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Food]]
[[Category:Food woo]]
[[Category:Zoology]]

Categories: Outline, Animals, Food, Food woo, Zoology