Lipid and amino acid profiles support the potential of Rhynchophorus phoenicis larvae for human nutrition

•Nutritional composition of larvae of Rhynchophorus phoenicis was investigated.•The larvae are a valuable source of energy due to their high lipid content.•The lipids are rich in unsaturated fatty acids.•Their proteins contain all indispensable amino acids in high amounts.•POO and PPO are the major triacylglycerols and explain the thermal properties of the lipids.