Lunch Is Served! 

Hungry for a side of silkworms? Singapore recently approved 16 species of insects for people to eat. The list includes several cricket, mealworm, and moth species—and even a type of honeybee.

An estimated 2 billion people around the world regularly consume insects. Bugs are an environmentally friendly source of protein because farming them requires little land or water. As the world’s population rises, experts say, insects can help meet the global demand for protein-rich food.

One of Singapore’s goals in approving the insect species is to increase local food sources. The country imports more than 90 percent of its food. Under the new rule, the insects must be grown on farms approved by the government. 

Francis Ng owns a restaurant chain in Singapore. He says his customers love when their meals showcase bugs. Those dishes, he says, “look scarier, so customers can film for their TikTok.” 

—Lisa M. Herrington