Witchetty-grub
Witchetty-Made (English witchetty grub ) is the name used in Australia for large white larvae of wood borer (Cossidae), root borer (Hepialidae) or longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) that feed on wood .
The term witchetty maggot primarily refers to the up to 7 cm large wood drill larva of the Endoxyla leucomochla (formerly Xyleutes leucomochla ). It feeds on the wood of the acacia species Acacia kempeana , which is endemic to Australia and which is colloquially known as witchetty bush , which gives it its name. The word witchetty comes from the language of the Adnyamathanha , one in the northeast of South Australia -based tribe of Aborigines . It is made up of “crooked twig” ( wityu ) and “larva” ( vartu ).
Use as a food
The term witchetty grub is mainly used when speaking of the larva as an edible insect . They can be eaten raw or grilled. Because they are high in protein , they were an important part of the diet as bush food of the Australian aborigines . They are now available packaged in some supermarkets. The taste is said to be reminiscent of nuts, which is attributed to the fact that they only feed on wood.
Designation "Bardi grub"
In Australia, bardi grub is usually used when these larvae are used as bait by fishermen in freshwater waters . The name was originally used for the larva of the bark beetle Bardistus cibarius .
Web links
- Wood drill ( Endoxyla leucomochla ) (English)
source
- ↑ Witchetty Grub. In: Alan Davidson : The Oxford Companion to Food. 2nd edition, edited by Tom Jaine. Oxford University Press, Oxford et al. 1999, ISBN 0-19-280681-5 .