arachnophagy
{{Short description|Eating of arachnids}}
Arachnophagy (/əˈræknɒfədʒi/, from Greek ἀράχνη aráchnē, 'spider', and φαγεῖν phagein, 'to eat'), also known as araneophagy, describes a feeding behaviour that involves eating arachnids, a class of eight-legged arthropods that includes spiders and many other species groups including scorpions, ticks, and mites. Aside from arachnophagy by non-human creatures, the term can also refer to the practice of eating arachnids among humans.Christopher Healey, Margaret Florey (2003): Alune arachnophagy and approaches to spiders among an eastern Indonesian people. In: Journal of ethnobiology. Vol. 23, pp. 1–22.
By non-humans
File:House gecko with spider.JPG feeding on spider]]
Arachnophagy is widespread among many animals, especially reptiles and birds. For example, arachnophagy is described among Philippine scops owls that feed on spider species such as Heteropoda venatoria.Barrion-Dupo, A. L. A. (2009). Arachnophagy by the Philippine scops-owl, Otus megalotis Walden. Philippine Entomologist, 23(2), 174-178.
Spiders are also eaten by many other types of animal,{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Mike |date=11 November 2018 |title=Spider survival |url=https://australian.museum/learn/animals/spiders/spider-survival/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=The Australian Museum |language=en}} and spiders themselves can eat other spiders, including those of their own species, most commonly in acts of sexual cannibalism.{{Cite journal |last=Elgar |first=Mark A. |last2=Nash |first2=David R. |date=1988-09-01 |title=Sexual cannibalism in the garden spider Araneus diadematus |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003347288802215 |journal=Animal Behaviour |volume=36 |issue=5 |pages=1511–1517 |doi=10.1016/S0003-3472(88)80221-5 |issn=0003-3472}}
By humans
{{see also|Arachnids as food}}
Like the human consumption of insects (anthropo-entomophagy), arachnids as well as myriapods also have a history of traditional consumption, either as food or medicine. Arachnids include spiders, scorpions and mites (including ticks) that are consumed by humans worldwide.E.M. Costa-Neto, N.T. Grabowski (27 November 2020): Edible arachnids and myriapods worldwide – updated list, nutritional profile and food hygiene implications. In: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed: 0 (0), pp. 1-20. doi: https://doi.org/10.3920/JIFF2020.0046
Fried spider, primarily tarantula species, is a regional snack in Cambodia. In Mexico, tarantula have been offered in tacos, with a splash of guacamole.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animalgourmet.com/2018/02/27/comer-tarantula/|title=¡A comer tarántula! (no en Camboya, sino en México)|website=www.animalgourmet.com|date=27 February 2018 |language=es-MX|access-date=2018-09-25}} However, Mexican law forbids the sale of many species of tarantula for human consumption, and vendors offering this delicacy have been shut down by authorities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animalpolitico.com/2018/08/tarantulas-tacos-cdmx/|title=Aseguran tarántulas que serían convertidas en tacos {{!}} Animal Político|website=www.animalpolitico.com|date=15 August 2018 |language=es-ES|access-date=2018-09-25}} In Venezuela, the Piaroa people have a history of eating the Goliath birdeater tarantula (Theraphosa blondi).NBC News/Beth Greenwald (27 October 2011): [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna45048564 15 insects you won't believe are edible].
Fried scorpion is traditionally eaten in Shandong, China.{{cite web |first=Matthew |last=Forney |date=June 11, 2008 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/dining/11china.html |title=Scorpions for Breakfast and Snails for Dinner |website=The New York Times}} Other countries include Vietnam and Thailand.
Milbenkäse is a German speciality cheese that is exposed to cheese mites during ripening, and on consumption often still has mites attached to the rind.{{cite web|url=https://www.slowfood.de/was-wir-tun/arche_des_geschmacks/die_arche_passagiere/wuerchwitzer_milbenkaese|title=Würchwitzer Milbenkäse|website=Slow Food Deutschland e.V.}}