They're creepy, crawly and nutritious; Bugs rule
12 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2007
Manhattan — Tropical cockroaches feasting on a snack of fruit and leafcutter ants carrying their leaf loads are just a few of the insects found at Kansas State University's Insect Zoo.
"We don't appreciate what they do for us," says Kiffnie Holt, coordinator for the Insect Zoo.
Crickets are only one of many edible insects. Get a recipe that includes grasshoppers and one that calls for ant larvae. Get recipes.
Kiffnie says insects sometimes get a bad rap. Without them, our environment would be out of balance and we would be up to our elbows in environmental trash.
"There's ones that eat plants. There's ones that eat dead animals. There's decomposers, like cockroaches that break down things so that it can be turned back in fertilizer and soil. There's a lot of things that use insects as food. So they have so many roles in the health of the environment," said Kiffnie.
Fast Facts
- Estimated amount of insects to humans is 200 million to one.
- Cockroaches have two brains; one in their head and the other in their abdomen.
- More than 90 crops are pollinated by bees.
- The dye Carmine used in foods such as Jell-O, Gummy Bears, even lipstick is derived from insects.
- Maggots are sometimes used to clean wounds.
- Bee venom is used in arthritis treatments.
- Insects are sometimes used to help solve crime.
- In some countries an insect meal costs more than prime steak.
- We eat bugs without knowing it. The FDA says it is impossible to have foods free of insects and allows a percentage of insects and insect fragments into the foods we eat.
There are about ten million species of insects found in almost every corner of the world except the ocean. Though you will find insects in fresh water.
Many insects are edible. Greg Zolnerowich, Professor 'Z' as he's called, says insects are a good source of protein and nutrients. Many places in the world eat insects such as Asia, Africa and South America.
"North America and Western Europe are about the only places in the world that don't eat insects as a regular part of their diet," said Professor 'Z'.
Professor 'Z' whipped up some bug treats. 49 News Reporter Dana Davis tried sauteed mealworms with guacamole, and the Professor's famous chocolate chip cricket cookies.
"I haven't killed a student yet," says Professor 'Z' of his cookies.
Kiffnie loves all insects, except mosquitoes, and for good reason. While hiking in a preserve in Belize, Kiffnie was bitten by a mosquito that was caring bot fly eggs.
"They buried into my scalp and grew in there for about 24 days before I had 'em cut out," says Kiffnie.
Several live larva were removed from Kiffnie's scalp.
Even with the unpleasant bug experience, Kiffnie still respects insects, creatures considered by some to be at the bottom of the food chain, but that rule the world.
"If people weren't here, the planet would go on. If insects weren't here, things would break down pretty fast," says Kiffnie.
More info
Kansas State University Insect Zoo is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. 2 p.m. Due to limited space, all large groups, schools, clubs, etc. must schedule a guided tour. Schedule a tour by calling (785) 532-BUGS. Get more information online at www.k-state.edu/butterfly.
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