Overview of larvae of red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), as human food

Abstract

Insects have been a component of the human diet for ages, but their popularity as human food has only expanded considerably in recent years due to their potential as a large future food supply with high nutritional content and considerable environmental benefits. One of the promising insects with potential in foodstuff application is the red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). It is believed that with the advancement of new knowledge and technology, edible insects, specifically RPW larvae, would gain more acceptance globally, expand their market, and serve as a more sustainable alternative to meat. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of RPW larvae as human food. This study further emphasises that RPW larvae are suitable for human consumption since they are nutritious. The trade-in edible insects, particularly RPW, presents tremendous potential, as many nations have begun to recognise them as human foods, and other nations, such as Thailand, even produce them on a food business scale. In order to present a more comprehensive perspective, the possibility of the RPW’s mass rearing is also examined. In addition, the global acceptance of RPW cannot be separated from several advantages compared to similar insect larvae of other species in terms of mass-rearing and distribution, as well as nutritional value, which indicates the larvae’s high potential for processing into food products. It is envisaged that this study would give an overview for policymakers to plan and implement more appropriate policies and regulations to assist the growth of the RPW industry.