Edible Insect Allergy in Humans
| Allergen source | Main allergens | Cross-reactivity | Allergic potential | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crickets (Acheta domesticus) | Tropomyosin, arginine kinase (no officially named cricket allergens) | Crustaceans, house dust mite | Severe reactions reported | Hives, wheezing, anaphylaxis |
| Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) | Tropomyosin, arginine kinase and other proteins | Crustaceans, house dust mite | Primary sensitization and reactions reported (EFSA) | Skin, digestive and breathing symptoms, anaphylaxis |
| Grasshoppers and locusts | Tropomyosin, arginine kinase | Crustaceans, house dust mite | Severe reactions reported | Hives, asthma, anaphylaxis |
| Silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori) | Bomb m 1 (arginine kinase), Bomb m 3 (tropomyosin), Bomb m 4–6 (30 kDa lipoproteins) | Crustaceans, house dust mite | A leading cause of food anaphylaxis in parts of China and Korea | Hives, anaphylaxis |
| Cockroach (cross-reactivity only) | Bla g 7 (tropomyosin), Bla g 9 (arginine kinase), Bla g 8 (myosin light chain) | Edible insects, crustaceans | Cockroach-allergic people may react to edible insects | — |
Key Insights
- Edible insects (crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, locusts) contain Tropomyosin and Arginine Kinase, which can cross-react with crustacean shellfish and house dust mite.
- Anaphylaxis has been reported after eating crickets, locusts and other insects; there are not enough data to rank species by risk.
- Mealworms and grasshoppers also pose a significant risk, especially in people allergic to shrimp, crab, or lobsters.
- Silkworm pupae, widely eaten in East Asia, are a leading cause of food anaphylaxis in parts of China and Korea; their arginine kinase (Bomb m 1) and tropomyosin (Bomb m 3) cross-react with crustaceans and dust mites.
- Cockroach tropomyosin (Bla g 7) and arginine kinase (Bla g 9) cross-react with edible insects, meaning people allergic to cockroaches may also react to insect-based foods.
A Comparison of Edible Insect Allergies with Shellfish Allergies
| Allergen source | Main allergens | Cross-reactivity | Allergic potential | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edible insects (crickets, mealworms, locusts, silkworm) | Tropomyosin, arginine kinase | Crustaceans, house dust mite | Severe reactions reported | Hives, wheezing, anaphylaxis |
| Shrimp | Pen a 1, Pen m 1, Lit v 1 (tropomyosin), Pen m 2 (arginine kinase) | Edible insects, dust mites | Common cause of food anaphylaxis | Hives, swelling, wheezing, anaphylaxis |
| Crab | Scy p 1, Cha f 1 (tropomyosin) | Edible insects, dust mites | Common cause of food anaphylaxis | Hives, breathing difficulty, anaphylaxis |
| Lobster | Hom a 1 (American lobster), Pan s 1 (spiny lobster) (tropomyosin) | Edible insects, dust mites | Common cause of food anaphylaxis | Hives, breathing difficulty, anaphylaxis |
Key Insights
- Both edible insects and crustacean shellfish contain Tropomyosin and Arginine Kinase, which are the primary allergens responsible for cross-reactivity between the two groups.
- Crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, and locusts can cross-react with shrimp, crab, and lobster, so people allergic to crustacean shellfish are at increased risk of reacting to edible insects and should avoid them unless an allergist advises otherwise.
- Crustacean shellfish allergies (shrimp, crab, lobster) are among the most common causes of food anaphylaxis, while edible insect allergies are emerging as a major concern due to increasing consumption.
- Dust mites also share cross-reactive proteins with both edible insects and shellfish, meaning individuals with dust mite allergies may also react to insect-based foods.
- Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) have been reported in both groups, including after eating crickets, mealworms, locusts and silkworm pupae.
Anaphylaxis: act fast. After an exposure, any breathing symptom (wheeze, repeated cough, throat tightness, hoarse voice), fainting or dizziness, or symptoms in two or more body systems (for example hives plus vomiting) is anaphylaxis — even without hives.
- Give epinephrine right away (auto-injector or nasal spray). Do not wait to see if symptoms get better.
- Call 911, even if symptoms improve.
- Lie flat with legs raised (sit up if breathing is hard). Give a second dose after 5–15 minutes if there is no improvement.
Antihistamines and steroids do not treat anaphylaxis and must never delay epinephrine. Carry two doses and follow the written emergency action plan from your allergist.