Insects and worms as emergency food
In many countries insects are perfectly normal food, and in a real emergency they are among the easiest sources of protein: grasshoppers, crickets, beetle larvae, ants and earthworms. Here you learn which ones are suitable, which to avoid, how to prepare them and why they are always cooked through. Many insects are protected – in normal times they stay where they are.
- Collecting: 30–60 minutes for a small portion; preparing: 10–15 minutes
Explained simply
For many people in the world, grasshoppers or larvae are perfectly normal food – just like bread or pasta for us. Insects have a lot of protein, and you need that to keep your body strong. If the food runs out in a real emergency, insects can help.
But not every insect is good. Colourful, hairy or smelly animals are warning that they are poisonous. Leave caterpillars, bees, wasps, spiders, ticks, flies and mosquitoes alone. Good ones are brown or green grasshoppers, crickets, white larvae from rotten wood, ants and earthworms.
And very important: insects and worms are always boiled or roasted, never eaten raw. Tiny parasites can live in them that only heat kills. Many insects are also protected – so you only collect them if you are really in need.
How it works
Insects have a hard shell of chitin with a lot of protein inside, often fat too. For their weight they provide far more energy than leaves or herbs. Larvae are usually especially soft and rich in fat, grasshoppers and crickets rather rich in protein. Earthworms consist largely of water but also provide protein.
Because insects are small, what matters is where many sit together. On a cool morning grasshoppers are sluggish, because their bodies need the warmth of their surroundings to be quick. Beetles and larvae gather under stones and fallen logs. After rain earthworms come up. Anyone who knows these habits saves strength.
Heat is the most important protection. Roasting or boiling kills parasites and germs, makes the shell crisp and the animals easier to digest. Legs and wings are removed because they are hard and spiny and can scratch or get stuck in the throat.
What really matters
The rule of thumb is: plain, smooth, odourless. Brown and green grasshoppers, crickets, white larvae and ants are usually well suited. Bright colours, hairs and a strong smell are warning signals of many insects that are poisonous or sting. Avoid caterpillars altogether, because many have stinging hairs or poisons.
Prepare the animals carefully. With grasshoppers you pull off the head, which usually brings the gut with it, and remove the large jumping legs and the wings. Put earthworms in clean water or damp grass for a few hours so they get rid of the soil in their gut. Then everything is cooked thoroughly.
Even ants make a meal in quantity, but the large mounds of the red wood ant are protected and important for the forest. Do not destroy them. When searching under stones and wood, too, put everything back exactly as you found it – many other animals live there.
Safety: what to watch out for
Insects or worms eaten raw can transmit parasites and germs. So, without exception: cook them through until they are hot and firm inside. Then wash your hands and the container. Animals found already dead, or those from dung, rubbish and carcasses, are off-limits.
Insects are related to crustaceans such as shrimp. Anyone allergic to crustaceans or to house dust mites can also react to insects. So the first time, taste only a little. With swelling of the face or throat, breathing difficulty or dizziness call 112, or 144 in Austria, at once.
Do not collect where spraying is done, for example along field margins and in orchards. Insects can carry sprays that you cannot see. It is also better to avoid insects from near roads.
When it makes sense – and when not
Insects are worthwhile in longer emergencies, when supplies are running out and no rescue is in sight. In summer, in meadows, at forest edges and in the tropics you find the most. They are often easier and safer to get than plants, which can be confused.
In normal times wild insects stay where they are. Many species are protected, and even unprotected animals may not be caught or killed without good reason. Anyone who wants to try insects can buy them as an approved food in shops.
Good to know
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) published a major report on edible insects. It says that a very large number of species are eaten worldwide, often as a delicacy. So eating insects is not strange but everyday life in many cultures.
For children and people who feel squeamish, one trick helps: grind roasted insects into powder between two stones and mix it into soup, porridge or flatbread. This way you no longer see the animals, and the nutrients are kept.
Step by step
Only in real need
First check: are there supplies, help or a way out? Insects are emergency food, not a pastime, because many species are protected. Only collect where nothing is sprayed and only as much as you need.
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Only in real need
First check: are there supplies, help or a way out? Insects are emergency food, not a pastime, because many species are protected. Only collect where nothing is sprayed and only as much as you need.
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Choose the right insects
Suitable are grasshoppers and crickets, white beetle larvae from rotten wood, ants and ant pupae (do not break open protected wood-ant mounds) and earthworms. A good rule of thumb: plain brown, green or white, smooth, odourless.
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Avoid these animals
Leave brightly coloured, hairy and strong-smelling insects alone, as well as all caterpillars, bees, wasps, spiders, ticks, flies and mosquitoes. Do not take animals that are already lying dead, nor any from carcasses, dung or rubbish.
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Collect with little energy
Grasshoppers are sluggish on a cool morning and can be caught from the grass with a cupped hand. Under stones and fallen logs you find beetles and larvae – put everything back exactly as it was afterwards. Earthworms come to the surface after rain. Collect into a tin with a lid.
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Prepare
With grasshoppers and crickets, pull off the head with the gut and remove the spiny hind legs and the wings – they can get stuck in your throat. Put earthworms in clean water or damp, clean grass for a few hours so they get rid of soil, then rinse them.
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Always cook through
Roast the insects in a pot or on a hot, flat stone until they are crisp and hot all the way through, or boil them in water for several minutes. Always boil earthworms. Then wash your hands and the container thoroughly.
Never eat raw – parasites.
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Start carefully
The first time, eat only a small amount and wait to see whether you tolerate it – especially if you are allergic to crustaceans. Crushed roasted insects can be mixed into soup or porridge, which is easier for children. Watch for signs of allergy and call the emergency number at once if breathing becomes difficult.
Common mistakes
- Eating insects raw
- Collecting colourful, hairy or smelly animals
- Leaving legs and wings on
- Destroying protected ant mounds
- Not putting stones and dead wood back
Quick view
Materials
Rigid collecting container (box, basket or mug)
With a lid so nothing escapes
One species per container – never mix in anything unknown
Metal pot (stainless steel, aluminium, titanium)
Hot – scalding risk.
Lighter, matches or ferro rod
For cooking
Observe local fire bans.
Knife (fixed or locking blade)
Cut away from your body.
Rules on carrying knives differ by region – check local rules.
Suitable for
- Longer emergencies when supplies run out
- Meadows, forest edges and dead wood in summer
- Tropics and warm regions where insects are common
Not suitable for
- People with shellfish (crustacean) or house dust mite allergy
- Areas where pesticides are used
- Leisure trips without need – insects are protected
Prerequisites
- A real emergency with no other food
- A fire or stove for cooking through
- Clean water
Safety
- People allergic to crustaceans such as shrimp or to house dust mites can also react to insects. Eat only a small amount the first time. With facial swelling, breathing difficulty or circulation problems call 112 or 144 at once.
- Many insects are protected, for example red wood ants, stag beetles and many dead-wood beetles. Other wild animals may not be caught or killed without good reason either. Insects as food are only justified in a real emergency.
How it works
Insects consist largely of protein and often contain fat as well. Collecting them costs little energy as long as you look where many are found at once: grasshoppers in the meadow on a cool morning, larvae in rotten wood, earthworms after rain. Heat kills parasites and germs – which is why cooking is the most important step.
Advantages
- Easy to collect, no equipment needed
- A lot of protein for little effort
- Found in almost all environments
Disadvantages
- Small amounts per find
- Takes getting used to
- Conservation and allergies must be considered
Deep knowledge
Background
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) published a major report on edible insects in 2013. It describes that a very large number of insect species are eaten worldwide and that they can be rich in protein – but also that allergies and hygiene must be considered.
The US Army survival manual (FM 3-05.70) describes insects as readily available emergency food, recommends cooking them and advises against brightly coloured, hairy and strong-smelling species.
Variants
- Insect flour
- Well-roasted insects can be ground between two stones into a coarse powder and mixed into soups or flatbread.
- Tropics
- In the tropics termites and large beetle larvae are common food for local people. Where possible, ask locals which species are eaten.
Common mistakes
- Eating insects raw
- Collecting colourful, hairy or smelly animals
- Leaving legs and wings on
- Destroying protected ant mounds
- Not putting stones and dead wood back
Limits and risks
- No species identification – only rough rules
- Legal exceptions only in real need
- Does not replace a balanced diet
Material alternatives
Derived from material properties: a substitute must have all relevant properties. Observe the notes on the substitute.
- Rigid collecting container (box, basket or mug)
- Metal pot (stainless steel, aluminium, titanium) (Hot – scalding risk.), Single-wall stainless steel bottle (Heat only single-wall bottles without paint/plastic; remove the lid before heating.), Double-wall insulated bottle (Never heat directly.), PET bottle (clear, max. 2 litres) (Do not heat or place in a fire.), Food-grade water container (Only use containers that never held chemicals or fuel.), Airtight food-grade storage container (Fill only when clean and completely dry; never use containers that previously held chemicals.), Collapsible water container or bag (Protect from sharp objects.), Measuring jug, Food-grade water bag (Use only for drinking water, never for chemicals or fuel.), Fermentation jar or crock (Use only food-grade containers of glass, food-safe glazed stoneware or food-grade plastic – no metal containers for acidic food.), Resealable food bags (Use only bags intended for food; do not use with boiling water unless the manufacturer explicitly allows it.), Airy collecting bag or basket (Collect each species separately so nothing unknown gets mixed in)
- Metal pot (stainless steel, aluminium, titanium)
- Single-wall stainless steel bottle (Heat only single-wall bottles without paint/plastic; remove the lid before heating.)
- Lighter, matches or ferro rod
- Ferro rod (Practise before you need it.), Fire striker and hard stone (Carbon steel, not stainless.), Bow drill set (bow, spindle, hearth board, bearing block) (Use only dry wood.), Burning lens / magnifier (Never leave lying in the sun – fire risk.), Fire piston (Maintain the seal.), Pump drill (spindle, flywheel, crossbar, cord) (Fix the flywheel firmly and centrally – a loose disc can fly off.)
Results come exclusively from structured entries. No improvised instructions are generated.
Sources
Headquarters, Department of the Army (USA) (2002): FM 3-05.70 Survival
Insects and worms as emergency food; cook them; avoid brightly coloured, hairy and strong-smelling insects; purge worms in water
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (2013): Edible insects: Future prospects for food and feed security (FAO Forestry Paper 171)
Edible insects worldwide, nutritional value, allergy and hygiene issues
Council of the European Communities (1992): Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Habitats Directive)
Protection of wild animal species in the EU (including protected beetle species)