Insect Consumption

Agave worms: Caterpillars that can be found in bottles of Tequila, to prove the authenticity of the bottle, and its alcohol content, indeed if alcohol is high worms are conserved.

Ants: Most species of ants are edible especially carpenter ants, leaf cutters, and ants-honey. Pot-honey ants are much appreciated because the substance inside their abdomen is comparable to the nectar of the flowers. The insects feed on it, it is a kind of living pantry.

Winged ants: They are crispy if roasted, they can be recognized by their taste comparable to the taste of pork rind in butter. Bamboo worms: Very often eaten fried in Thailand.

Cicadas periodic: Once adults after 17 years of life, they can be eaten, they are very juicy and very tender in the mouth.

Cockroaches: They are eaten only if they are fed on fresh fruits and vegetables. They are savored grilled, fried or raw. They are very pleasant during the tasting.

Crickets: They can be eaten in different ways: raw, cooked, stir-fried, grilled, ... These are one of the most consumed insect species.

Dragonflies: They are consumed in adult form or as larvae.

The pupae of the fly: Their taste is similar to the pudding.

The twins: These insects are rich in B vitamins and in spite of their bitter taste combined with a taste of cinnamon, they are endowed with tranquilizing and analgesic properties. They resist cooking and are therefore consumed alive.

The larvae of the false ringworm: These insects are parasites of hives of bees, they therefore feed on honey. Roasted or sauteed, they have the taste of pine nuts and are rich in fatty acid.

Toxic insects: Toxic insects have a peculiarity, they are often very colorful this color discourages predators from eating them.

Chart, the most consumed insects

source : "Science & Vie Junior", n°289, october 2013