关键词: 食虫, 传统生态知识, 民间分类, 生态历法, 获取与惠益共享

Abstract

Background & Aims: Edible insects are an integral part of the traditional cultures of many ethnic groups worldwide, embodying a wealth of ethnoecological knowledge and wisdom regarding the utilization of biodiversity. However, contemporary approaches to edible insects tend to focus primarily on their potential as protein resources and on their commercial development, while overlooking their ethnic, ecological, and cultural dimensions, thereby creating potential conflicts with local knowledge systems, cultural practices, and biodiversity conservation. This paper provides a review of the geographical distribution and ethnic groups associated with entomophagous, species diversity, and modern development from the perspective of ethnoecology. 

Results: The paper examines the traditional ecological knowledge and cultural beliefs accumulated by various ethnic groups through entomophagy and, based on the behavioral chain of “folk classification, collection techniques, social norms, ecological effects”, presents three classic case studies: the Mexican agave worm, the mopane worm of southern Africa, and the hornet of southwest China, to reveal the positive role of traditional entomophagy practices in maintaining regional biodiversity. It further points out that as the contemporary edible insect industry rapidly transitions from local customs to global markets, issues such as the loss of traditional knowledge and biodiversity are emerging. 

Conclusion & Recommendation: From an ethnoecological perspective, the sustainable development of edible insects should go beyond the narrow logic of resource utilization and industrialization. It should involve traditional entomophagous communities to create a living heritage of knowledge; leverage the development of locally distinctive edible insect industries to promote the transmission of this knowledge; and incorporate the commercial use of traditional ecological knowledge into access and benefit-sharing mechanisms. This approach will foster more equitable value chain relationships and pave the way for an industrial development path that is both sustainable and culturally resilient.

Key words: entomophagy, traditional ecological knowledge, folk classification, ecological calendar, access and benefit-sharing