The fate of agriculture and human health is tenuous in light of a changing climate, a growing population, and inequitable resource allocation. Innovations in agricultural technology have broadly focused on increasing crop yields and reducing biotic threats. Traditionally, entomologists in the field of agriculture have focused primarily on ways to reduce pest pressure. Yet, reframing perceptions of the role of insects in the food system may be beneficial, given their value as a food resource, unique characteristics, and cultural importance.
The purpose of this special issue is twofold. First, it aims to bring attention to a novel agricultural sector that is gaining momentum globally: the use of insects as food and feed. We highlight outcomes from the Eating Insects Athens conference (Fig. 1) held in Athens, Georgia from 13 to 15 August 2018. Second, this special issue aims to celebrate the life of Dr. Marianne Clopton Shockley of the Department of Entomology, University of Georgia (UGA) (Fig. 2), whose life was tragically lost in the spring of 2019.
Announcement for Eating Insects Athens, which was held in Athens, Georgia 13–15 August 2018.
Dr. Marianne Shockley welcoming everyone to the Eating Insects Athens conference.
Special Issue Overview
Entomophagy—the practice of eating insects—has existed throughout human history and consumption continues in parts of the globe today. While research exploring insects as food or feed is limited in scope, the number of publications each year is growing rapidly as entomologists, health professionals, anthropologists, and others are giving time and attention to this important field. Without a doubt, the study of insects as food and feed requires an interdisciplinary perspective. The Eating Insects Athens conference created a space for experts from disparate disciplines to share knowledge and explore future possibilities for sustainably utilizing insects as food and feed.
The Eating Insects Athens conference was an extension of and follow-on to Eating Insects Detroit, hosted by Wayne State University in 2016. In this special issue, we present a collection of manuscripts generated from the 2018 conference covering a wide range of topics from insect biology to the role of edible insects in combatting food insecurity. Eating Insects Athens was unique in its ability to bring together industry leaders, academics, chefs, artists, and others invested in better understanding the use of insects as food and feed. Thus, this special issue reflects the diversity and creativity of attendees.
A number of excellent research presentations were given at this conference. From among these, 11 presenters were invited to generate a manuscript for inclusion in this special issue on insects as food and feed. We sought to balance content of this special issue such that it represents the multiple facets of existing research on this broad topic. The lead article, authored by Butner and Shockley, presents an overview of insects as food and feed, describes the conference in detail, and highlights the development the North American Coalition for Insect Agriculture (NACIA). NACIA supports professional development, public relations, and engagement with regulatory authorities on the use of insects as food and feed. The topics in the remaining articles vary widely. We include four papers examining cultural and economic aspects of the human consumption of insects as food. More specifically, Hurd et al. explore the cultural importance of edible insects in Mexico; Collins et al. provide a market evaluation of insects as food; Lesnik discusses colonial expansion and its impact on insects as food culture; and Pechal et al. give an overview of insects as an alternate protein in Africa. The special issue also dives into important aspects of rearing insects for consumption, such as the impact of larval competition on adult size and egg production of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) by Jones and Tomberlin, while Malawey et al. describe the sperm morphology of this species.
Two manuscripts explore health implications of insect consumption: Stull et al. details the nutritional profile of mealworms, Tenebrio molitor, L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) reared on maize by-products, and Liceaga discusses interesting approaches to process cricket protein for use as human food. Koutsos et al. provide a limited review of insect composition and uses as animal feed, while Fischer discusses the ethical objections to insects as food.
Dedication to Dr. Marianne Shockley
Dr. Marianne Shockley was the organizer and host of the Athens conference, but this event was only the most recent of a long list of activities she championed as a means to explore and promote insects as a food source. It is probably fair to say that most people in our community met Marianne at a conference because she was always organizing sessions on entomophagy, including at three annual meetings of the Entomological Society of America: in 2014 (Portland), 2015 (Minneapolis), and 2017 (Denver). Marianne was also active internationally, as she was invited to speak at the Eating Innovation conference in Montreal in 2014, organized a session on entomophagy at the International Congress of Entomology in Orlando in 2016, and represented the NACIA at Insects Feed the World in Wuhan, China in 2018. It is no wonder that Eating Insects Athens was so successful—Marianne brought a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to the table. Without a doubt, Marianne was a leader in the entomophagy community. She was committed to bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and recognizing the accomplishments of others.
Without Marianne Shockley, this special issue would not have come to fruition. Marianne galvanized a new generation of researchers and a wave of new science with her passion and dedication to the use of insects as food and feed. It is with genuine sadness that we dedicate this special issue to her. With permission from her father, we include below a modified version of the obituary prepared for Marianne. Although it provides a glimpse of Marianne’s personality, a few paragraphs can never truly capture the spirit of Marianne—her humor, her radiant energy, or her passion for friends, family, and everything entomology. We will miss you, Marianne but we will never forget you.
Marianne received her Doctorate of Philosophy in Entomology from UGA in 2009. She then joined the faculty as the Academic Professional and Undergraduate Coordinator in 2010. Through her position at UGA, she was able to engage students and the public on the importance of insects, especially insects as food and feed. While she published a number of peer-reviewed papers, a majority of her publishing and knowledge-sharing efforts were made more accessible by the media (e.g., newspapers, radio, television, internet) where she provided countless interviews on entomology.
In addition to her role as an advisor and mentor, Marianne oversaw or participated in many of the Entomology Department’s outreach projects and programs, including speaking engagements at K-12 schools and participating in public events (i.e., ‘Insectival’) throughout the area on a range of topics, including pollinators, insects as food, and general importance of insects and arachnids. Dr. Shockley also planned, organized, and taught UGA Entomology’s summer educational program, affectionately known as ‘Bug Camp’. Depending on local interest, three to six camps were offered each summer for nearly a decade, with Dr. Shockley teaching each lesson and guiding local field trips. Dr. Shockley coordinated many of the study-abroad opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students with a strong emphasis on Entomology, of course. She pioneered the development of Service Learning as a method for teaching Entomology at UGA, expanding on the topic of her doctoral research.
Dr. Shockley’s efforts to shine a positive light on entomology were appreciated by many in the entomology community, especially at UGA where she received numerous awards, such as the UGA Faculty with a Significant, Positive Impact on Student Career Decision-Making and the UGA Faculty Contribution to the Career Development of UGA Students awards.
Over and above her career and her students, Marianne devoted her energy and time outside the University to her two children, Paul (17) and Nora (15), both high school students in Madison, Georgia. In particular, and due in large part to the influence and guidance of their grandfather, Paul and Nora spent countless childhood hours on horseback, gradually improving their skills and competing in Georgia High School Rodeo Association events. Paul participated in heading and heeling, whereas for Nora, it was barrel racing. Both children were also vital members of their mother’s Bug Camps. Even as children, both could identify common insects and spiders around their family’s and friends’ homes, later assisting Marianne on local field trips and public outreach events.
In addition to her children, Marianne is survived by one brother (S. Reid Shockley of Apalachee), one older sister (Suzanne (Mrs. Eric) Hendricks of Soperton with whom she shared a birthday), one younger sister (Ayla (Mrs. Richard) Crippen of Atlanta), and five nieces and nephews (Miranda, Hailey and JT Hendricks, Jack and Dash Crippen), as well as a multitude of aunts, uncles and cousins—all of whom remember Marianne for her love of life, laughter, and insects. Faculty, staff, former and current entomology students, and Entomology colleagues across the professional community will never forget Dr. Shockley’s adventurous spirit, jovial nature, and willingness to help others.
