Not only are most grasshoppers edible, they are higher in protein than meat, on a weight-for-weight basis. In fact, grasshoppers are enjoyed in cuisines all over the world. Next to ants, they are the most popular edible insect. At one time, Native Americans in the Rocky Mountains ate them, and they are still eaten in Asia, New Guinea, Africa, the Middle East, and Mexico, for example.
- Edible Grasshoppers are Plainly Colored
- Poisonous Grasshoppers are Brightly Colored
- Toxic Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
- Are Locusts Edible?
- How are Grasshoppers Prepared?
- Eating Grasshoppers Safely
- Summary
Edible Grasshoppers are Plainly Colored
There is a general rule about edible grasshoppers — since they are so edible, they tend to be plainly colored so that they blend into the environment and do not stand out to potential predators.
Not only do many humans eat grasshoppers, but so do snakes, spiders, birds, beetles, and many other hungry predators. Hiding in plain sight is their main mode of protection.
If they are detected, they will jump away in a very sudden and powerful motion, which not only helps them escape but can startle a predator just long enough to give the grasshopper a fighting chance.
If you ever tried to catch a grasshopper as a child, you may have been caught off guard by just such a sudden leap.
When you see a brightly colored grasshopper, you have encountered one that uses quite a different strategy. The bright colors are like an advertisement. Except, in this case, the ad reads “You don’t want to eat me, I’m poisonous.”
This type of coloring is called aposematic, which refers to bright and highly conspicuous markings on certain animals that taste very bad or are poisonous. The coloring evolved as a warning to predators.
It makes sense, if you think about it; being poisonous to eat won’t do you a bit of good if your enemy doesn’t know you’re poisonous.
Poisonous Grasshoppers are Brightly Colored
Poisonous grasshoppers sometimes have toxic alkaloids in their blood that make them either extremely bitter to eat, deadly, or both. Unlike their fast and plain cousins, these guys are sluggards. They tend to move slowly.
Again, this makes sense as a defense. Fast movements can trigger a prey response. Moving slowly allows their colors to be seen so they are not gobbled up by mistake.
So, if you see a bright and colorful grasshopper, you’ve probably countered one that is not very edible. These may be toxic to eat.
Toxic Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
An example from the United States that is toxic to humans, but not deadly, is the Eastern Lubber shown below. This pretty-looking grasshopper will not hide!
Eastern Lubbers are huge (up to 3 inches long) and flashy. They won’t bother trying to blend into some grass like the fellow seen above.
They are aposematic grasshoppers that are quite poisonous. They won’t kill a human but they can kill a small bird or mammal. Larger animals will become violently ill and get quite a stomach ache…so if a larger bird eats one, the grasshopper may be dead but his cousin will be safe from that particular bird.
They aren’t as graceful as their plainer cousins. This is where they get the name lubber, more or less meaning ‘clumsy’, as in ‘land-lubber.’ Their wings are just nubbins, so they don’t fly, and although they can jump, they seem to be just jumping around at random with no control.
Some species, like the Eastern Lubber above, will exude a toxic foam from their bodies when handled or attacked. The Eastern Lubber also exudes brown scum from their mouths that is somewhat like tobacco spit.
Toxins are not the only potential danger in eating grasshoppers. They can carry roundworms. Thorough cooking should mitigate the danger, and as such, grasshoppers cannot be said to be much different than pork and other animals that we eat. However, before you decide to give up your popcorn for big bowls of grasshoppers, make sure you know what you’re doing.
Are Locusts Edible?
Locusts are simply grasshoppers that are in a swarming phase. Specifically, there are certain species of “short-horned grasshoppers” that are usually loners, but sometimes, when conditions are right, start to breed like there is no tomorrow and swarm in huge numbers, causing the type of thing people call a “plague of locusts.”
Since grasshoppers are edible, locusts are too, and although swarms of locusts, which cause great devastation to crops, are not as common today, in the past, even while they were eating all the crops, they provided a source of food.
Some biblical scholars even believe that the “manna” from heaven that God gave to the wandering Israelites were actually locusts, but the evidence doesn’t really fit. And, yes, eating grasshoppers and locusts goes back at least that far.
Leviticus 11:22 lists grasshoppers among the four insects permissible to eat:
Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.
John the Baptist is reported as eating locusts and wild honey.
Unless we suppose that locusts were not grasshoppers in biblical times, this means that grasshoppers were three out of the four. It is ironic since many suppose that the reason pork was seen as unclean is because of the danger of pork transmitting roundworm infection, such as trichinosis, to humans, and grasshoppers can harbor these parasites.
How are Grasshoppers Prepared?
Grasshoppers are generally fried, or boiled and then fried, with flavorings and other ingredients added according to the local taste. They are also roasted or smoked, cooked in soups or stews, and dried and ground into flour to make bread.
In Oaxaca, Mexico, where they are called chapulines, they are boiled, dried, and then toasted with lime, salt, and chili and used as a main ingredient in other preparations, in tacos, etc.
In Thailand, there is a favorite snack called gai sam yang, with grasshoppers, chilies, peanuts, shallots, ginger, and lemongrass.
Eating Grasshoppers Safely
In general, grasshoppers are safe to eat when harvested from the wild. It is important, though, to make sure that they are harvested from areas free of pesticides and properly cooked to kill any potential parasites or bacteria.
Allergic reactions are also possible for some individuals, similar to other food allergies. Individuals with shellfish allergies should generally avoid eating insects like grasshoppers. Many shellfish allergies are caused by a sensitivity to the protein tropomyosin. Grasshoppers, cicadas, and other edible insects have this protein and so can cause allergic reactions in those allergic to shellfish. Those with allergies to dust mites or cockroaches should also avoid eating grasshoppers, for the same reason. There is not a lot of definitive research on specific cross-reactions to grasshoppers and other edible insects in those with shellfish allergies, but it’s best to be cautious.
Key Summary Points For “Are Grasshoppers Edible?”
- Most grasshoppers are indeed edible and have been eaten by humans in various cultures around the world for centuries.
- Grasshoppers are a nutritious food source, providing more protein, on a weight-for-weight basis, than meat.
- The general rule about which grasshoppers are edible is that the edible ones tend to be plainly colored and blend into the environment so as not to stand out to potential predators.
- Some grasshoppers are poisonous, however. These have toxic alkaloids in their blood that make them either extremely bitter to eat, deadly, or both.
- The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, found in the United States, is an example of a grasshopper that is toxic to humans. It exudes a toxic foam from its body when attacked or handled.
- Grasshoppers can also carry roundworms and so should be cooked thoroughly.
- Locusts are the same as grasshoppers and are what we call grasshoppers when the are in a swarming phase. This means locusts are edible, too and while devastating to crops, can provide a source of food to humans.
- Many cultures consume grasshoppers a delicacy and prepare them in various ways, such as roasted, smoked, or fried, and added to soups, tacos, or other dishes as a main ingredient.
- While generally safe to eat, it’s important to make sure that grasshoppers are harvested from areas free of pesticides and properly cooked to eliminate any potential parasites or bacteria.
- Allergic reactions are possible for some individuals, especially those with known allergies to shellfish, dust mites, or cockroaches.
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