Why can't we eat locusts during a locust plague? Why can't we eat locusts during a locust plague?

India and Pakistan are now plagued by locust plagues. Thousands of locusts will quickly eat up local food crops, which will have a devastating impact on people's harvests that year. At the same time, we also know that locusts are rich in protein and are good to eat after being fried. So why don't we eat locusts during locust plagues? Why can't we eat them?

Why don't we eat locusts during a locust plague?

Because the locusts in the locust-infested areas are different from the ones we usually see. The grasshoppers we usually see generally have no parasites, but these so-called African locusts may have parasites, that is, some iron wire worms lay eggs in the bodies of these locusts, and then there are many white worms inside. So it is still very dangerous to eat this kind of wild animal, so these so-called locusts are different from what we usually see.

At the same time, these locusts may also carry some viruses during flight, which is the most dangerous thing. Therefore, almost no one eats this kind of thing abroad. Although farmed locusts are delicious, wild ones still pose great risks. At the same time, these animals may also carry infectious diseases, so we must take precautions now.

Why can't we eat locusts that cause a locust plague?

Locusts are indeed a nutritious, high-protein food. However, this food has another characteristic: they fly fast.

In other words, they won't wait for you to catch them. Locusts flying all over the sky are like a dark cloud. These insects move in groups at high speed, can eat up all the food in an instant, and then fly away quickly. In this case, it's not a question of whether you want to eat or not, but a question of whether you can catch them or eat them. Not to mention, no matter how delicious the insects are, they can't satisfy your hunger. They can only provide one meal. If your food is destroyed, everything will be over.

Moreover, swarms of locusts, also known as gregarious locusts, are poisonous, which is a group defense mechanism unique to locusts. When gregarious locusts are attacked by great tits, phenylacetonitrile (PAN) in their bodies will be converted into highly toxic hydrocyanic acid (HCN), so gregarious locusts can chemically defend themselves against natural enemies. Locusts are green when they are scattered, and they turn brown when they live in groups. When the chemical defense of gregarious locusts is blocked, they will change color to prevent being discovered by natural enemies, thereby protecting themselves.

Therefore, eating gregarious locusts raw is poisonous and cannot be eaten raw. A certain amount is enough to cause death. Assuming that the content of hydrocyanic acid is the same as that of bitter almonds, a few dozen grams of raw locusts are enough to contain the minimum lethal dose. Even if they are processed at high temperatures, they are not completely safe. For example, some locusts have botulism in their bodies, which can poison insect eaters even after being roasted over fire. In addition, eating locusts can also cause allergic reactions.

Why did the locust plague break out in India?

The locust plague in India and Pakistan is not an epidemic. It is a natural disaster.

Every year, a large number of locusts appear in the India-Pakistan region, with more in some years and fewer in others.

The reason for the outbreak this year is, firstly, the local climate, which makes locusts more suitable for reproduction and growth; secondly, the migratory locusts that passed through the East African region through the Arabian Peninsula and then entered the India-Pakistan region joined the local locust army in India and Pakistan, which may eventually lead to more serious insect plagues in the area.

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Indian agricultural expert Drake Sharma told the People's Daily that the locust plague has a great impact on India's agricultural production and economy. If it cannot be effectively controlled, it may further affect other South Asian countries. Sharma believes that the locust plague mainly broke out in South Asia, West Asia, East Africa and other places. Although the FAO has issued an early warning, India and Pakistan are still somewhat unprepared. He said that the locusts that are rampant in India and Pakistan are desert locusts. Considering the terrain conditions in the region, it is unlikely that the locusts will migrate to China through India or Pakistan.