Table 1 Food insects and therapeutically used terrestrial arthropods in northern Korea as of 2012 (this paper) in the light of earlier reports from South Korea [4]and pre-world war II Korea[5]

Non-insect arthropods

centipede

Scolopendra damnosa L.Koch, and possibly other species

m

Also mentioned for South Korea [4] and in [5] for an undivided Korea

scorpions

Mesobuthus martensii (Karsch)

m

Also mentioned for South Korea [4] and in [5] for an undivided Korea, but without species name(s) given

woodlice

Suborder: Oniscidea

m

This paper and in [5] for an undivided Korea, but without species name(s) given

Insect products and larval forms

Caterpillar fungus

Ascomycota: Cordyceps sp. ?

m

This paper and in [4] for South Korea

Insect ‘tea’/faecal pellets of stick insects

Order: Phasmida

m

This paper

Cicada exuviae/shells

Fam.: Cicadidae

m

This paper and also mentioned for South Korea [4] and in [5] for an undivided Korea

Scarab beetle grubs

Fam.: Scarabaeidae

m

This paper and also mentioned for South Korea [4] and in [5] for an undivided Korea

Honey, wax, larvae

Fam.: Apidae

f and m

This paper and also mentioned for South Korea [4] and in [5] for an undivided Korea

Wasp nest and larvae

Fam.: Vespidae

m

This paper and also mentioned for South Korea [4] and in [5] for an undivided Korea

Fly maggots

Fam.: most likely Calliphoridae

m

This paper and in [5] for an undivided Korea

Silk moth larvae and pupae

Bombyx mori L.

f and m

This paper and also mentioned for South Korea [4] and in [5] for an undivided Korea

Adult insects

Blister beetles

Mylabris sp.

m

This paper and in [4] for South Korea

Cockroaches

Order: Blattaria

m

This paper

Ants

Formica rufa L. and possibly other species like F. fusca L.

m

This paper and in [5] for an undivided Korea

Locusts

unidentified

m

This paper

Giant water bugs

unidentified Belostomatidae

f

This paper (consumed only by Chinese residents)