March 31, 2026
Bug bites, hotter bytes
Acceptance of entomophagy among Canadians at an insectarium
Canadians say 'maybe' to bug snacks — comments: 'you first,' 'propaganda,' and 'yum?'
TLDR: At Montreal’s Insectarium, 44% said they’d try insects—especially when hidden in foods—with men and grads most open. The comments split between survey skepticism and corporate-motive fears, plus honey/poop-coffee jokes and a few nostalgics, showing greener protein meets equal parts memes and mistrust.
Montreal’s Insectarium just served up a study saying 44% of visitors are open to eating insects—mostly when the bugs are hidden in foods like brownies made with cricket flour. Men were more willing than women, and folks with grad degrees were more game to cook with the stuff. Motivations? Curiosity, health, and the planet. Roadblocks? Disgust and “is this safe?” But the real feast was in the comments.
Skeptics pounced on the survey design. One reader rolled their eyes that it was just a questionnaire and not an actual tasting, quipping that a “yes” on a form is basically a “maybe” to a party invite. Another went full watchdog, blasting the whole idea as corporate spin to “add more crap to products,” demanding politicians chew first before asking the public to bite. Health worriers chimed in too, comparing bug burgers to ultra-processed plant patties.
Not everyone gagged. One nostalgic commenter fondly remembered chocolate-covered grasshoppers at the same museum, and another cracked that people already eat insect vomit—hi, honey—and pay top dollar for poop-adjacent coffee. The vibe? Half “save the planet,” half “you eat it,” and 100% chaotic. Read the study details here: Scientific Reports.
Key Points
- •Survey of 252 adult visitors to the Montreal Insectarium assessed attitudes toward insect-based foods.
- •44% expressed openness to eating insects (18% prior consumers; 26% willing to try).
- •Lower willingness for regular consumption (27%) and home preparation (17%).
- •Highest acceptance for products with less visible insect content (e.g., baked goods with insect flour).
- •Gender and education strongly predicted acceptance; men were more willing, age alone was not a consistent predictor.