Edible UK insects/bugs/creepies????

[Feygan]

Ok so I'm wondering on just how many of the uk's creepies are perfectly edible without harm?
I know from experience (pretty much grab it and chew to find out) of the following.

Ants (black): Raw I just saw one and thought why not, tasted just like a sugar
explosion so definitly one to do in big numbers.
Mealworms: Raw again and only the larvae, not much to them, crunch, squish
and thats about it.
Maggots: Raw, well when your fishing it keeps them warm and you fed.
Woodlice: Raw, a personal favorite, just like crunchy prawns. Also easily
found.
Daddylonglegs (the flying kind):Raw, my advice is if you don't have to, stay away
there's nothing to them, the legs get stuck in
your teeth, the wings in your throat. The only real
benifit is there millions of em.
Slugs:Fried, it was a best someone stuck one in a frying pan it exploded, and
nearly burned the place down, not the best of ideas in retrospect.


So I'm wondering what other stuff I can add to the menu? I've no issues with stomach turning or such and will give anything a go once, normally ill even try before I know if will do me harm or not.

 

[Seagull]

Yak!

I do hope you are not thinking of opening a takeaway.

Meanwhile, when you,ve eperienced enough of these creepies( and you,re feeling really brave) ...then pm me and I will send you a half-pint of my missis,s stew and dumplings.
Which should fettle you, but good.

Ceeg

 

[locum76]

woodlice apparently taste like shrimp (they're both crustacean decapods). you could do the cook em up and grind them down thing...

 

[Feygan]

I tried cooking them before, but found they tase better fresh, also its the whole thing of the fresher your food the better it is for you. I just think they're great "trail food" just pick them as you walk along pop them in a small container and chew at your leisure.

 

[Goose]

I have tried worms, cooked and raw, not much of a taste really, not unpleasant.


To add to the thread, what dangers(if any) are there to specific bugs? I am aware of hygiene dangers, what has the bug been eating for a start , but what treatment such as purging is required and do any bugs have particular dangers?

 

[ben banned]

Bees and hornets and such can be eaten. The stinger is a protien which will break down when boiled. And bee larvae are pretty damn good.

 

[Feygan]

Bees and hornets and such can be eaten. The stinger is a protien which will break down when boiled. And bee larvae are pretty damn good.

Sounds good, next on my list though is limpets , been meaning to do so for ages but never got round to it, I'll have to go find some this weekend.

 

[The Joker]

aaaaaaaaaarh Limpets.................salty chewing gum and thats after you've picked the black bubble of puss off the top of it

 

[torjusg]

Never eaten any bugs (that I know of).

But I have heard these are edible too:
Treegrubs (burrowing in the tree)
Wasp larvae
Grasshoppers (the ones we have here are generally small, but I have seen a few jucier looking ones)

I would also assume that moskito larvae (found in the bottom of ponds in great quantities) are edible.