Arachnids as food
Some arachnids may be used for human consumption, either whole or as an ingredient in processed food products such as cheese. Arachnids include spiders, scorpions, and mites.
Spiders
About 15 species of spiders are scientifically described as being edible, with a history of human consumption. These edible spiders include:- Thailand zebra leg tarantula which is sold fried as traditional snack in Cambodia and Thailand;
- Thailand Black ;
- Goliath birdeater ;
- several other species of tarantula;
- the golden orb-weaving spider that is eaten in New Caledonia and is said to taste like pâté.
Scorpions
Mites
is a German speciality cheese.Mimolette is a mite cheese traditionally produced around the city of Lille, France.
Cheese mites could cause an allergic reaction if consumed in large quantities.