The Calumet news., 1912-06-25
INSECTS AS HUMAN FOOD

Insects. as a group, constitute an
important source OF food supply for
the races OF mankind. They have
been eaten from time immemorial,
sometimes figuring as luxuries. at
Others a staple article OF diet. Per-
maps the chief food insect-and
very important one, too-is the locust.
IL furnishes the favorite food Of many
numerous African tribes, some nations
nVing almost exclusively upon its
teeming hordes. Locusts have been
regarded as luxury from the earli-
est times OF which any records re-
main TO us. In the British museum
tnere is Nineveh sculpture showing
men carrying different kinds OF meat
TO some festival, and among them are
some who carry long sticks to which
iocusts are tied. In Athens or ola.
iocusts and grasshoppers were sold in
the markets, and they were then pre-.
ferred as dainties above the most sue
culent quails or the best figs. In the
law OF Moses, as set forth in the book
Oh Leviticus, we find locusts permit
present day In Palestine, these insects
are fried In sesame oil and eaten. In
Arabia Petrea locusts are fried In the
sun and ground into kind OF flour for
cake-making. In Central Africa GER
tain tribes make them into thick brown
soup. Ia Madagascar they are baked
IN huge Jars. then fried in grease and
nh M - Ia. haU
simply boiled In water and salted to
taste. The Arabs grind and bake
them as cakes, roast them in butter.
or crush them with camels cheese
and dates; but II is said that they only
resort to this fare In years OF famine.
In southern Russia, where locusts are
still extensively eaten by the serfs,
the insects are usually smoked in the
first instance like fish. When re-
quired for consumption, the legs and
wings are broken of, and the bodies
are then boiled. roasted. stewed, fried
or broiled.
After the locusts, the popular In
sect food consists OF grubs and cater
pillars, or which many species are
eaten with avidity In different coun-
tries OF the world. The grub or the
common cockchafer (Melolontha),
when properly dressed forms nutri-
tious and actually dainty food. Twenty
years or so ago. a banquet was given
at the Cafe Custoza In Paris Tor the
special purpose OF demons tratirg the
excellent qualities OF the yer blanc, as
this grub is called. The insects were
fried to a golden brown color In
paste or flour. milk. and eggs; and or
the so guests present the majority
called for a second helping.
The only butterfly distinguished by
supplying food TO mankind Is an AUS
tralian species called by the natives
"Bugong." Regularly every year this
insect congregates In 7ast swarms on
the rock slopes or the Bugong noun
tains, and II Is said that the natives
light great fires beneath the trees up
on which the butterflies have settled
Tor the night, thus suffocating them
and bringing them to earth.
Among the insects that are eaten
Il Is necessary to include the famous
grugru, or pain gruD, OF tne Wese ~"
dies with the allied species found In
lava. These grubs when roasted on
tiny spits and richly spiced. are said
TO surpass all other animal food In
fiavor.
The ancient Greeks were very fond
Of cicadas or harvest fies-insects OF
a very wide geographical range,
whose shrill note is familiar country
sound throughout the southern states
during the summer season. Cicadas
are also eaten today by certain Al
rican tribes. The Greeks were also
saters of crickets; nor are these IN
sects neglected at the present day. for
The natives OF a large portion OF
southern Africa dig up a subterranean
species. and roast II over a bright hre
or food