Prof. dr. Marcel Dicke is an ecologist with a special interest in the relation between plants and insects. He is a recipient of the NWO-Spinoza award, also known as the Dutch Nobel prize. The central theme in his research is the way that plants define the lives of insects. In his TEDxAmsterdam talk, he explains why we should all eat insects! His surprising talk was followed by the serving of some delicious snacks.

1. Why not eat insects? Marcel Dicke

2. Biodiversity: 6 million species www.bugsinthepicture.com

3. 200-2000 kg of insects Of all animal species 80% walks on 6 legs

4. Insects benefit the economy: 57 billion US$ per annum in USA (2006) Controlling pests Removing dung Controlling pests Removing dung Expenses of US army in Iraq ca 80 billion US$ in 2006 for free Pollinationof crops Food for animals - start of food chains

5. Silkworm pupae Hangzhou, China, 2008 worldwide ca 1400 insect species eaten

7. Human population growth 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2050 Year population (billions)

8. Increase needed in agricultural production ( www.fao.org )

14. So why not eat insects? 1 2 3 1 2 3 4

19. Innovative entrepreneurs in NL

20. 2010 ? Pictures: © www.bugsinthepicture.com 2020 ?

21. Innovative NL minister of Agriculture: puts insects on the menu in her ministry’s restaurant Mrs. Gerda Verburg

22. So … why not eat insects? Try it yourself most Dutch newspapers reported on 1747 people eating insects in Wageningen 23 Sept 2006 Today!

23. Snacks made by: enjoy !