Crunchy Critters.

• Position: THE BIG PICTURE

Ketchup on your creepy crawlies? Not for this girl, who was competing in an insect-eating contest in Yunnan province, southwestern China, in June. The competitors tried to eat as many deep-fried bamboo worms, dragonflies, locusts, and silkworms as possible within five minutes. The winner scarfed down more than 2 pounds' worth, according to MSN.com.

Eating insects might gross you out, but it's common in many parts of the world, including Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization recently encouraged people to eat bugs--many of which are high in protein--as a way to curb the environmental pollution that...