If you’ve never eaten a bug before, you probably think it sounds pretty gross. As someone that’s eaten bugs several times (on purpose), I can tell you honestly that it most definitely is not a pleasant experience. In general, they are just deep fried in a lot of oil. There are a lot of unfamiliar textures like gushy guts and crunchy shells – actually, the texture is harder to get over than the actual flavor.
In other words, even though there are lots of bugs you can eat, I don’t recommend it!
However, there are plenty of reasons to consider eating bugs other than flavor. For one, they are nutritious! They contain a lot of protein, are high in fiber, and low in fat. That sounds like a decent diet trend to me!
On top of that, they are cheap to raise, sustainable and eco-friendly. In fact, crickets use less than 0.5% of the water and only 10% of the feed needed to raise a single cow.
What’s their not to love? OK, maybe a lack of variety of cooking methods, but that’s changing. Cricket flour is gaining traction, and it can be used in anything from protein bars, to cookies and other sweets. Of course, chocolate covered bugs are pretty easy to accept. I’m still not so hot on mealworms in my food quite yet, but I guess mixed in with some noodles they might not be so bad.
Hey, and how about some salty, crispy grubs instead of peanuts at the bar? Yum!
Bugs You Can Eat!
Crickets
Crickets hardly sound like an appealing food, yet they are being hailed as the ‘perfect protein’ and the industry surrounding edible crickets is growing rapidly. Indeed, you can even find Exo bars at Whole Foods Market, which contain cricket ‘flour’.
Much of the appeal of crickets come from their protein, because ounce-for-ounce they offer more protein than beef. Nutritionally, the insects are particularly appealing because you are eating the whole thing, which provides you with much more nutrients than just eating the meat from an animal.
Caterpillars
You might have accidently eaten a caterpillar or two because they were in your vegetables, but eating them intentionally is a whole different story. Eating caterpillars is a common practice in some parts of the world, such as Northern Zambia, and they also offer a viable food source for times when the options for food are very limited.
Like many bugs most of us are horrified with, caterpillars tend to be safe to digest and they can even be tasty.
Ant Larvae
Many different ant species can be eaten. This includes the adult ants and it also includes the larvae. Even though they look incredibly unappealing, many people love ant larvae, especially as they do not have the sour taste of adult ants.
Roasting ant larvae as soon as they are killed is an important approach to optimize their taste. Doing that is especially significant if the idea of eating ant larvae makes you nervous.
June Bugs
Both adult and larval stages of June bugs can be eaten, although some people say the taste of the larval stage is more appealing. The larvae are often more nutritious as well, although eating adult June bugs is an approach that many people do take.
As with most edible creepy crawlies there are also many recipes that June bugs can be included in, such as an egg, onion and bug omelet.
Termites
Termites are a surprisingly common choice when it comes to eating insects, largely because they are so easy to access. Despite their small size, when eaten in quantity they can become a valuable source of protein.
Some cultures eat termites raw, straight from the termite mound. However, lightly roasting termites is also a common approach – and a much more appealing one for most of us.
Centipedes
While centipedes aren’t classed as insects, they are still a creepy crawly that has become a surprisingly common addition to the dinner menu for some folks.
In fact, centipedes are frequently found as street food in China, often sold on a stick. They have a bitter taste, but some people say they are quite good when seasoned. However, the legs can be a bit tricky, and can easily get stuck in your teeth.
Mealworms
Mealworms are actually one of the more appealing examples of insects that you can eat. Like the other bugs on this list, they are high in nutrients and offer a good source of protein.
However, they also have an appealing taste and are best described as tasting like ‘nutty shrimp’. Mealworms are also very versatile and are used in a range of ways, including fried, roasted or sautéed.
Red Ants
Visually, red ants are a pretty unappealing option for eating, but most of that comes from our revulsion about eating insects in general. When blindfolded, most people say that they like the taste of red ants, but it is a completely different story when the same person eats the ants.
Along with their eggs, red ants are used in a Thai dish, known as Larb Mote Daeng. The dish works because the bodies of red ants taste a bit like lime because of the leaves that they eat. Still – it’s a dish that only some people would be willing to try.
Scorpions
Scorpions are another creepy crawly that is being eaten surprisingly frequently. They are frequently found either fried or skewered in China and in Thailand.
Scorpions do look pretty scary initially, but they really aren’t any worse than eating lobster and even have a flavor that is reminiscent of soft shell crab (although other people say that it tastes like chicken or chicken skin). Many people trying scorpion are surprised to find that they actually like it, especially if they close their eyes.
Bees
Bees and bee larvae are relatively common choices for edible insects. That isn’t really too surprising, after all, we already use honey pretty frequently.
When the larvae are eaten, one common option is to have them sautéed in butter, which can make them taste a little bit like bacon. The adult bees may sometimes be eaten roasted, although grinding them up to produce a type of flour is also common.
Lice
Lice has a pretty bad reputation, especially if you were unlucky enough to deal with them as a kid. Lice are not eaten all that frequently, partly because even in the worst cases, it is hard to find enough of them.
Nevertheless, they can be a source of protein, although their small size means that you have to eat a large amount of them for the process to be even worth the bother.
Alderflies
Many of the insects on this list are eating fairly commonly, however, the alderfly is a relatively obscure example of an edible insect. There are roughly 66 species of alderfly and humans sometimes use them as bait for fishing.
However, alderflies are edible and they can be an interesting choice for people who are looking for something a little bit more unusual. In fact, the case of the alderfly is also a reminder that most insects are edible, including ones that haven’t become particularly popular in the human population.
Dragonflies
On the other hand, dragonflies are more commonly eaten, especially in Indonesia. Most of the challenge with dragonflies comes from actually catching them, but some groups of people have developed efficient approaches for catching the bugs. Dragonflies are frequently fried or boiled and have a similar taste to a crab.
Mayflies
Mayflies have not made their way into cuisine much, but they do still have their place in survival. It’s relatively easy to pick these insects off the surface of the river. Like many other insects they can actually be eaten raw, although cooking them is always a safer option.
Stoneflies
Stoneflies are another example of an edible type of insect that is largely ignored. This makes them especially relevant for survival situations where other options for food are not readily available. While eating raw is always an option, it is always safer to cook them, just in case the insect is contaminated by its environment.
Locusts
Eating locusts has a long history and that approach was even mentioned in the bible multiple times. Eating locusts has become particularly popular in recent years, as Israel experienced a major locust invasion in 2013.
With an excess of the insects there was a growing interest in eating locusts, particularly deep fried or covered on chocolate. That’s certainly a novel way of dealing with a pest that won’t go away.
Caddisflies
Caddisflies are one of a number of species that are referred to in the Japanese term zaza-mushi, which specifically refers to aquatic insects. Along with the other species, caddisflies are commonly eaten in Japan. One common approach is to first boil the insects and then sauté them in a combination of sugar and soy sauce.
Antlions
Antlions are particularly cool looking insects, although they are often overlooked when it comes to eating insects. Despite this, they are edible and they do offer a valuable source of nutrition and protein. The insects are predators, frequently eating ants, although some species do eat pollen and nectar.
Potato Bugs AKA Jerusalem cricket
Potato bugs belong to the same superfamily as king crickets and weta from Australia and New Zealand. They are particularly interesting because of their appearance, which looks a little too human-like for most people. The bugs have also been featured on Fear Factor, although unlike Fear Factor, most people generally do not choose to eat the bugs live.
Earthworms
Most of the time we use earthworms as a way of catching fish, but they can actually be relevant for human food as well. In fact, there is even an eco-restaurant in Croatia that has multiple dishes that use earthworks as their primary ingredient. One example of this is deep fried earthworms. Earthworms are particularly popular because of their high protein and high iron content.
Leeches
Leeches are a particularly challenging example of an edible bug. The problem is that they have a slimy texture, which can often make people gag. One way around this is to use leeches in cooking or cook them then grind them into a paste. If you can get past the slime factor, then these bugs are a good source of nutrients, although I wouldn’t go as far as saying that they taste good.
Tarantulas
Fried tarantulas are considered a delicacy in Cambodia, and you can frequently find them being sold as snacks in markets. The frying approach results in a crispy outside, while the center of the spider’s body and head contains soft white meat.
The exterior tends to taste of the spices that it has been fried in, while the interior has a taste similar to chicken or cod – although not everyone agrees. This is one dish that some people love, while others cannot stand.
Water Boatmen
Water boatmen are a relatively obscure bug that most people probably haven’t heard of. It is also visually similar to a second type of bug, known as the backswimmer.
Both of those types of bugs are actually edible and can be an interesting source of nutrients. However, most of the time people prefer to eat the eggs from this species either raw or dried, like caviar. Because of this, there isn’t that much information available about what the bug actually tastes like.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are named for the smell that the insect makes when it is crushed – which makes it sound like a particularly unappealing option for something to eat.
Nevertheless, stinkbugs are a good source of iodine and are relatively frequently consumed. Even though they have a strong smell, this does not translate into taste. Instead, they have a garlic-like flavor that can be quite appealing.
Wasps
A good general rule is to avoid eating insects with brightly colored markings, as this can indicate that the insect is poisonous. However, wasps are an exception to this rule. The larvae of wasps can be eaten easily, but the adults take more care because they have a stinger.
The sting should be removed prior to eating, and ideally the wings and legs as well. It is also important to cook wasps prior to eating to ensure that there are no negative interactions.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches tend to incite some pretty negative reactions, so the idea of using them in food might seem pretty far-fetched and very unappealing. However, you don’t want to be eating any cockroaches you find around the house.
Cockroaches can be both tasty and clean options for food, but it’s important to focus on ones that have been fed fresh vegetables and fruit. After all, you really don’t want to be eating anything that is in your garbage.
Dungbeetle
Dung beetles certainly don’t sound appealing, but they are commonly eaten. Normally they are fried prior to eating and are known to have an appealing taste. When sourced for eating, dung beetles are cleaned prior to roasting and they are also seasoned. Nevertheless, they are still a bit of an acquired taste.
Hornworms
Hornworms are common pests for tomatoes, as well as eggplants, peppers and a few other vegetable garden species. While they can be a frustrating pest, hornworms can be fried in much the same way as you would fry a tomato. Their taste is a combination of crab and green tomatoes, although this can vary a bit depending on what they have been eating.
Damselflies
Like many similar types of bugs, damselflies are edible, even though they are not commonly eaten. In fact, there are around 1,700 different species of edible insects, although only a fraction of these are eaten on a regular basis.
Because damselflies aren’t eaten frequently, there isn’t much information available on the taste of these insects. However, they are likely to be a crunchy food, as there is relatively little meat on their bodies.
Dobsonflies
Dobsonflies are a particularly scary looking insect and they have an equally frightening larval forms. Both the adult and the larval forms of dobsonflies are edible, although their spiny nature means that you do need to take care with them. This species is a good survival choice, as it offers nutrients and protein, however, there are many easier culinary alternatives.
Mopane Worm
Mopana worms are a type of caterpillar that has become a popular insect in southern Africa, to the extent that caterpillar farming has become a viable way for households to earn money.
The caterpillar offers a rich source of protein and they are often sold dried and raw, although they are sometimes used in cooking. Most of the time, the end product ends up being particularly chewy, which can be a challenge for people not used to them.
Midge Fly
Midge flies are tiny, which makes them an unusual choice for an insect to eat. Most of the time they are used to make kunga cake, and the process involves compressing the flies to form a solid block and then cooking it. Outsiders sometimes refer to the cake as mosquito hamburgers, which does make it sound pretty unappealing. However, with the prevalence of mosquitos in the area, it’s easy to see the nutritional value of such an approach.
Stick Bug AKA Walking Stick
Walking sticks (the bug that is) are commonly eaten in Papua New Guinea and in Asia. The taste can be somewhat leafy, but that does depend on how the insect is cooked. Additionally, there are multiple different species of stick insects and they vary considerably in size, appearance and (potentially) taste.
Witchetty Grubs
Witchetty grubs are commonly eaten in Australia, particularly by Aborigines. The grubs are often of large size, which can make them particularly appealing as a source of nutrients. They tend to be high in both fat and protein.
While the texture of the grubs can take some getting used to, the taste can be quite appealing, with notes of nuts and eggs. It is even possible to eat them raw, although most non-locals prefer them cooked.
Agave Worm
The agave worm is one of the species of worm that is sometimes included in tequila. The work actually acts as evidence of the quality of the tequila, because only a certain proof of tequila will preserve the worm. The worm is entirely edible regardless of whether you eat after drinking tequila or whether you actually use the worms as part of a meal.
Cicadas
Cicadas are best eaten just after they molt. At that time the insects tend to be both soft and juicy, making them an appealing option for food. However, they can also be eaten when they haven’t molted.
Globally many different species of cicadas are eaten, depending on what is prevalent locally. At the right time of the year cicadas are also very prevalent, which makes them an especially viable option. While some people eat the insects live, eating them cooked is normally preferable.
Mosquitos
Mosquitos are an edible option, but this is a type of insect that you need to be careful with. The problem is that mosquitos can sometimes act as disease vectors, which can make them a poor choice.
However, some specific types of mosquitos can be eaten because they do not carry disease. The trick is to do your research carefully and make sure you aren’t eating anything that is likely to compromise your health.
Leafcutter Ants
Leafcutter ants are another example of ants that you can eat. They are most commonly eaten in South America and typically they are toasted. Their taste is said to be pretty appealing and is often described as a combination of pistachio and bacon flavors. You can even sometimes buy containers of toasted ants and these can be eaten much like popcorn.
Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers are (surprisingly) a pretty common option when it comes to eating insects. They are especially common in Mexico, where they tend to be flavored with lime, garlic and chili powder.
At the same time, the insects turn up in a range of different dishes. Grasshoppers have become part of Mexican tradition, but they aren’t an emergency dish for people with no other options. Instead, they can be pretty expensive and can be considered a delicacy.
Bamboo Worm
Bamboo worms are often found fried in Thailand. These are actually a particularly safe-tasting option if you want to give eating insects a try and you don’t have to deal with the appendages that many other species of bugs have.
Even the taste of bamboo worms is relatively safe, and they tend to taste mild and bland. Despite being a safe option, bamboo worms do still offer the advantages that many other edible insects have in that they are a good source of nutrients.
Lemon Ants
Lemon ants are an example of a species that really do live up to their name, because they have the tangy taste of lemon. Lemon ants are unusual in that people often end up eating them directly from nature (live!), rather than cooking them. The ants are also very tiny, so it would take quite some effort to catch enough to make cooking them worthwhile.
Snails
Snails are probably the single-most well-known edible insect, even though most Western people find the idea pretty appalling. Even when snails are served in the United States, the key idea seems to be to hide the natural flavor of the snails, rather than enhance it.
Eating snails (or escargot) has a long history in France and there are many people who find them particularly appealing. Some of this appeal comes from their taste and their high protein nature, although the reputation of the meal also makes it appealing.
Rollie Pollie AKA Pill Bug
Pill bugs have a lot of different names and they are sometimes referred to as land shrimp because of how closely they are related to lobster and shrimp. Some people find that the bugs also taste similar to shrimp.
While they can be eaten raw, they also work well in cooked dishes, especially as an ingredient in a soup or in a sauce. Pill bugs have the additional benefit of having a high calcium carbonate content in their shell, which gives them the potential to help with upset stomachs.
Slugs
Like their snail cousins, slugs are edible and they are probably also quite nutritious. They can be an appealing approach to food simply because they are so common in some parts of the year.
Slugs should always be cooked before eating to prevent any health issues. Some types of slugs are also better options than others, with dusky arions and leopard slugs being two popular varieties.
Aphids
Aphids are another interesting choice for edible insects. Even though they are relatively small, you tend to find lots of aphids at a time on infested plants. The taste of these insects can vary considerably depending on what they have been feeding on. So, you may find some aphids taste a little bitter, while others are on the sweet side.
Earwigs
Earwigs are both edible and tasty, although people are often grossed out by the idea of eating them. Catching earwigs is relatively simple, and this can be done using the same tricks that gardeners use to get earwigs out of their garden. One such example is filling a low sided container with vegetable oil or stale beer, both of which will attract earwigs.
Beetles
There are many different species of beetle out there and a great number of these are edible. However, if you are going to eat beetles (or any species of insect for that matter), it’s important to take the time to identify the species you are wanting to eat and figure out whether there are any concerns about eating it.
Often a few individual species may excrete concerning chemicals, even though many similar species are perfectly safe to eat.
Honey Ants
Sometimes these are also known as honeypot, and the reason for both names comes from the honey-like substance that these insects carry in their abdomens (which is the translucent globe in the image).
The insects use this to feed other ants, but it also makes them a particularly interesting option for edible insects. As you might imagine, the ants have a sweet taste and are sometimes considered a dessert.
Silk Worms
Silkworms are used extensively for silk harvesting and the edible silkworms are a byproduct of that process, which makes them a particularly environmental choice.
They are also particularly common in Korea and you can even find canned versions at some Asian markets. Silkworms have an unusual smell, which puts the uninitiated off and their taste tends to be described as ‘tolerable’ rather than actually appealing. Despite this, they are a good source of protein and the silkworms are already farmed so it seems a waste not to eat them.
Whatever this is looks pretty edible….
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I love the idea of eating fried big fat grubs on a daily basis. Beats a fast food meal any day!
I agree, I’m just now getting into the world of edible insects but I’ve never been squeamish beofre and I’m excited to try a sustainable option thats high in protein and doesn’t involve animal cruelty (in my view at elast since most insects dont have pain receptors.