page_title: Lethocerus indicus
section_title: Philippines
hierarchical_section_title: Lethocerus indicus / As food / Philippines
caption_attribution_description: English: Deep fried giant water bugs on a plate; Deep-fried giant water bugs (Lethocerus indicus) are often seen at local markets of Thailand. 日本語: タイワンタガメを揚げた料理。タイバンコク市内の市場で撮影。
context_page_description: Lethocerus indicus is a giant water bug in the family Belostomatidae, native to South and Southeast Asia, as well as southeast China the Ryukyu Islands and New Guinea. It was originally described as Belostoma indicum but is no longer placed in that genus.
  This insect is well known as an edible species in a number of different Southeast Asian cuisines. The taste of the flight muscles is often compared to sweet scallops or shrimp.
context_section_description: In the Ilocos region in the northern part (Luzon) of the Philippines some insects such as crickets, locusts, and beetles are traditionally eaten. The water bug or water beetle is known as alukap in Ilokano language. It is sauteed or fried in oil, garlic, onions and tomatoes, or roasted, after the wings and legs have been removed, and eaten as a viand for steamed rice or as a finger food with liquor. The same is done in the Visayas region where it is called obus in the Visayan language.
caption: Fried giant water bugs.
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