ENT010 Exam: Insect Products

Q1: For a) Apiculture, b) Meliponiculture, c) Sericulture, and d) Carmine dye: what insects are involved? What is the history of the associated products and what products are used now?

Apiculture: The insect is the honey bee. The history of honey hunting dates back thousands of years due to its high caloric value. They are native to Africa, Asia, and Europe, but was itroduced globally. Honey hunting dates back 19k years ago for nutrients, mead, and wax larvae. Bee-keeping originated in Egypt, then became widespread. Hives were placed in walls for preservation. Ancient Greece experimented with different hives, like pottery and woven hives. Now bee-keeping is for honey, pollination, and venom. Products include beauty, medicine, and mead.

Meliponiculture: The insects are eusocial stingless bees. They have a long history in Latin American countries and were used by indigenous cultures for food and medicine. Now they are kept for honey, propolis (bee glue), and pollen.

Sericulture: The insects are silk moths - bombyx more. They were first produced in China and are the largest exporter today, and were spread through the Silk Road. Now they are used for raw silk for textiles and luxury goods.

Carmine dye: The insect is a cochineal bug. They are native in South America, Mexico, Arizona, Carminic dye (natural red 40) comes from carminic acid produced to protect against predators since they are sessile. Specialist on Opuntia. Historically used for painting and dyeing by the Aztecs and Mayans. Hernán Cortés and other conquistadors learned about it and spread it. In the 1500s, it was the New World’s most valuable export after silver and gold. Now it is used for red dye in food, drinks, and cosmetics (red 40).

2. In terms of bioconversion and its associated products, how can black soldier flies be

farmed to combat food insecurity?

BSF larvae are used in biocoversion, taking organic waste and converting it into value-added products. The recycled nutrients would otherwise go to landfills, but BSF consume them.

BSF can be used as a protein meal since it is high in protein, oil for industrial or nutritional purposes, and as a fertilizer since its waste becomes a high-quality fertilizer to grow more crops.

Farming BSF is much more sustainable and nutrient-dense than traditional livestock (they are 50-70% protein while cows are 30%)

Which insect product was once the second most valuable export from the New World?

Carmine dye (from the Cochineal bug).

What is the primary food source for the silk moth Bombyx mori?

Mulberry leaves.

How many calories are in one tablespoon of honey?

64 calories.

Why did Cochineal bugs evolve to produce carminic acid?

As a chemical defense against predators (like ants) because the insect is sessile (immobile).

What are the three main products derived from farming Black Soldier Flies?

Protein meal, oil, and fertilizer.

What is the biological relationship between the Cochineal bug and the prickly pear?

The bug is a specialist on the Opuntia. It is immobile so it produces carminic acid as a chemical defense to stop predators like ants from eaitng it while it sits onthe cactus.

Paul Ehrlich predicted a global famine in the 1960s. Why was he wrong, and what new problems did his "solution" create?

He was wrong because of the Green Revolution. From 1960 to 80, crop yield doubled, agricultural intensification and monoculture, less crop diversity, and high pesticide and fertilizer use. But we still face hunger. Growing populations mean more animal-based products. We grow more, but global distribution is a problem due ot transportation. Most food we grow goes to the animals. This also leads to a lot of food waste, with the US being the largest contributor.

What insects can we farm…?

Crickets, meal worms, and BSF

Explain the biocoversion loop using black soldier flies.

It is a circular process: organic waste is consumed by BSF larvae to produce products. It recycles nutrients back into the earth or food chain instead of letting it rot in a landfill.

Why are BSF more efficient than traditional livestock in combating food insecurity?

Efficiency and density. BSF is 50 to 70% protein while cows are only 30%. Tehy reuire less land and water and turn waste into high value nutrients.

How did the SIlk Road impact global “economic entomology”?

It turned sericulture into a global trade network. China was the first to produce it and remained the largest exporter, making the silk moth one of the most economically significant insects in human history.

Describe the progression of hive technology from Ancient Egypt to Ancient Rome

Egypt used horizontal mud or clay cylinders while Rome experimented with pottery (terra-cotta) and woven skeps made of straw or wicker to improve hive management.

True or False: Honey bees are native to North America.

False. They are native to Africa, Asia, and Europe; they were introduced globally.

Economic Entomology

A subfield studying the monetary impact insects have on humans, crops, animals, and structures

Sericulture

The rearing of silk moths for the production of raw silk

Bioconversion

Using living organisms like BSF larvae to convert organic waste into value-added products

Carminic acid

The red pigment produced by cochineal bugs to protect themselves from predators like ants and parasitoids

The Green Revolution

A period of doble agricultural yields via intensification, through it led to less crop diversity and distribution issues