Kids Ask Dr. Bug

about the curious things found in the garden

Are there cultures who eat insects on purpose?

Yes! Entomophagy, the eating of insects, is very common throughout the world. In fact, 80% of the world’s nations, approximately 3,000 ethnicities, and over two billion people include insects as a part of their diet. All stages of insects are consumed, including eggs, nymphs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Of course, insect products are also consumed even more widely, such as honey from honey bees. In reality, we all consume insects on a regular basis! The technology doesn’t exist to keep all insects and insect parts out of our food when it is processed. There are federal regulations that limit how many insects and insect parts can be in our food.

What do different insects taste like?

There are around 1,000-2,000 species of insects that are known to be edible. Frequently eaten insects are grasshoppers, crickets, mealworms, buffalo worms, waxworms, other caterpillars, bees, wasps, and ants. Crickets, like others in the same order (Order Orthoptera which includes grasshoppers, katydids, crickets) have a nutty flavor. Ants are more citrusy. Waxworms and mealworms can be flavored with cinnamon and sugar, chili powder, garlic, or many other flavors. Also, what the insects are fed can influence what they taste like.

What are the benefits to eating insects?

While insects are not commonly intentionally consumed in the United States, there are good reasons why we should consider doing so. Traditional livestock production costs a lot and is hard on the environment. In contrast, insect production costs less and has significantly fewer disadvantages for the environment due to using less water and space, emitting far fewer greenhouse gasses, and creating less ammonia. Additionally, using crickets as an example of minilivestock, are five times as efficient as cows at converting their food into bodyweight, and most of the cricket is edible (80%), compared to only 40% of a cow. Crickets are

high in protein (almost as much as a steak!), low in saturated fat, and a good source of vitamins and minerals. They also have fiber. Research is being done to learn more about the benefits and any disadvantages of using insects as food. Two cautions that we know of are folks with a shellfish allergy may be sensitive to insects, and because this is a developing field, insect food like cricket flour can be very pricey – around $40/pound! are fed foods that are also safe for human consumption – please don’t

try this with the crickets found around your home, especially if you don’t know what they have

eaten! Crickets are typically harvested around 6-8 weeks before they are fully developed. They are dried and then ground twice – once in a course grinder and sifted to

Would you eat a Chocolate Chip Cricket Cookie?

How do you make cricket flour?

Most cricket flour is made from the common house cricket (Acheta domesticus) which has a high protein content, and it tastes good. Crickets for human consumption remove parts that don’t grind well (legs, wings, etc.), and then ground again to a fine size that is smooth. Cricket flour is a deep brown and is often mixed with other flours in baking, although it can be used by itself.

Do you have a favorite insect to eat?

I used to say that I didn’t eat insects. When I learned that we all eat insects as it is impossible to exclude insects completely from our food, I said that I didn’t intentionally eat insects. However, now I know more about the benefits of entomophagy, to humans and the environment. While there is still a “yuck” factor when I think about eating whole insects, cricket flour and the talents of skilled people have changed my thinking on this. Some of the best chocolate chip cookies and chips I have ever tasted were made using cricket flour. I would intentionally eat them again! A New Year’s resolution for me is to try a new recipe with cricket flour. Here is a link to a delicious

recipe you might try, too: Choco Chirpies: Chocolate Chip Cricket Cookies (http://bugvivant.com/recipe/chirpies-chocolate-chip-cricket-cookie/), and here is a video if you would prefer to watch others make the cookies: https://youtu.be/ fCptc-IA6d4. If you do make these cookies, or another recipe, please share your experiences and pictures! @MUExtBugNGarden.

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TAMRA REALL Horticulture Specialist

Dr. Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugNGarden) is a horticulture specialist for MU Extension – Urban West Region. For free, research-based gardening tips, call 816-833-TREE (8733), email mggkc.hotline@gmail.com, or visit extension.missouri.edu. The University of Missouri is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/ pro-disabled and veteran employer.