Eating insects

[ClayPick]

I’ve eaten just about every kind of wild edible going but stick to a really narrow range when it comes to pleasing the palate. Bugs seem to stimulate my gag reflex so much that I don’t even experiment. I’m leaving the whole thing for a time when I may have to!
I found this ugly bugger awhile back and it’s new to me, it’s a Mydas Fly. It feeds only on other insects so I suspect that it’s safe to eat? GAG ME!!!!! So does anyone enjoy eating insects?

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[Rick]

While I don't "enjoy" eating them, I have tried them on occasion. I've eaten fried grasshoppers and ants. Two that come to mind. I didn't find them objectionable at all. I, too, would have to draw the line on grubs unless I just HAD to. I've posted before, grubs are like chips with the dip on the inside. Yuck!

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I noted a large supply of grasshoppers around here only yesterday. Almost looked like the locust plague! I pondered then if I'd eat them and said to myself probably good fried with some salt...

[Rick]

Make certain you cook them. They have an intestinal parasite that will be killed if you cook them.

[crashdive123]

I am not familiar with the Mydas fly. It does appear that it has a stinger protruding from the abdomen. I would avoid eating any insects that have stingers, or are known to be poisonous. For those insects that you do eat - roasting them makes them a little more palatable.

[NightShade]

On the pond I live on, in summertime there are tons of beetles... big guys, like the size of my thumb... Me and my friends were enjoying some ice- cold refreshments on the back deck 1 day, and were talking about man vs. wild and survivorman... 1 thing led to another and I was dared to eat 1....... yea, not so tasty!

[FVR]

I don't eat bugs...................

If for some unfortunate reason I have to eat bugs, they will be cooked....cooked...and cooked some more.

Did I mention, I don't eat bugs?

[Gut shot]

I saw a post on here of a youtube link of a guy roasting grasshoppers strung on a wire and am thinking of trying some , well roasted and still thinking on it , they might be good well roasted and no legs or guts squishin out and all .....i'll let ya'll know if i do and how it works out , NO grubs tho unless in a extreme survival situation

[crashdive123]

That's erunkiswldrnssurvival (Gene for short).

[TangoFoxtrot]

insects = protein......uukkk!

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

this is a video of me eating some nice plump grass hoppers.......

enjoy!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZOT9TTylg8

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

insects = protein......uukkk!

the food value of insects is more important than meat. you can live much better on bugs than you can squirrel, rabbit,possum and coon and bugs dont taste bad if you cook them like other foods, try adding them to a stew

[your_comforting_company]

I was walking in the woods yesterday and I noticed something like a leaf moving around on the ground. there wasn't any wind so I decided to check it out and I found this guy. Looks like a sizable portion. I don't know squat about bugs, but I did find one like this guy a while back on the net. I dont remember what it's called, but I've seen them a couple times before here and there. We have many of them, though you hardly ever see them. they only live as moths for about a week and have no mouth parts. the moths job is simply to lay more eggs and die. so...
Can i eat it?
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[pocomoonskyeyes]

Looks to me like a LUNA MOTH. Don't know if they are edible or not. Some insects are NOT edible,are even poisonous, so I would stick to what I know... For me that means grubs, ants, grasshoppers and worms. I Will NOT eat any caterpillar as some eat poisonous plants to poison whatever eats them.

[crashdive123]

Based on that pic, I don't think it's a Luna. Too many segments on the wings and no swallow-tail.

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[pocomoonskyeyes]

Based on that pic, I don't think it's a Luna. Too many segments on the wings and no swallow-tail.

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Good Call!!! I believe you are correct Crash. Maybe the same family? the "Eye spots" look very similar,size similar,but wing structure IS different.

[crashdive123]

I've looked a little, but haven't found it yet. I'll look some more if nobody has found it after I finish annealing a piece of steel.

[Rick]

Actually, I think that's a Giant Silk Moth and it's wings are all ratty. Might be why it was on the forest floor. A good tangle with the wind or a bird will tatter them pretty quickly.

I don't suppose moths or butterflies are poisonous but I'd never eat one. They have a powdery substance on their wings that is quite distasteful. The next time you handle one, gently brush it's wings then lick your finger. Besides, moths have a tendency to be hairy little critters.

[ClayPick]

Might be a Polyphemus Moth. Here's one in better shape. I ain't eattin it!

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[oldsoldier]

Grubs,nightcrawlers/redworms, ants, termites, are all edible. Have eaten them before.
(Military survival training) As was mentioned grasshoppers, crickets, edible when roasted. Maggots and fly larve are supposed to be edible and high in protien but???
I guess it depends on how hungry you are.