The buzz: Who’s news in edible insects

In the natural order of things, maggots usually wait for us to stop being alive before they start their meal, but new archaeological evidence suggests our prehistoric relatives weren’t above beating them to the punch. Researchers have posited that Neandertals supplemented their diets with fly larvae — a nutrient-dense micro-livestock that provided essential fats and proteins during lean winters. Is this a proof of concept for the alternative protein market? For SN, Sofia Caetano Avritzer reports on the squirming side dish.

🍽️ Larvae a la carte

Scientists have long speculated that Neandertals were hardcore carnivores like lions, due to high levels of nitrogen present in their bones. But some researchers aren’t so sure, given that humans can only tolerate a certain amount of animal protein. This raised a question: where was the extra nitrogen coming from? In this study, researchers examined muscle from present-day donated cadavers and the maggots munching on them, as a surrogate for animal meat. By combining these findings with ethnographic studies of modern hunter-gatherers, researchers determined that Neandertals may have incorporated insects into their diet, perhaps as a survival strategy. Researchers haven’t found archaeological proof of the practice, but the science suggests that during harsh winters when large game was scarce and plant life was dormant, these larvae served as a critical source of fat and other nutrients, buffering against starvation.