Palm weevils
Scientific name
Rhynchophorus phoenicis ou Rhynchophorus ferrugineus
Where can you find this insect ?
We met this insect on the Borneo island in Malaysia, but as well in Vietnam, Ghana and Amazonia forest. It is the most consumed insect in the world.
Common names:
- Palm weevil/ palm worm: English
- Mority: Brazil
- Morete: Ecuador
- Moriche, mojojoy, chomiya, canangucho: Colombia
- Aguashi: Peru
- Sago worm: Indonesia/Malaysia
Breeding
Palm weevil larvae feed on palm trees trunks thereby causing the tree’s dead. The larvae are harvested by making a hole in the palm tree with a cutlass, but it is also possible to breed them. When mature, larvae turn into pupae and hide themselves inside a cocoon made from palm fibers. Then pupae turn into beetles. After mating, females lay eggs and new palm weevils hatch from the eggs (see on the picture, two adults mating). For more information concerning palm weevil breeding, please contact us.
Taste and texture
Palm weevils can be cooked following various recipes. We have tried them in an Asian style sauce, and even alive! Their taste really makes us think of meat and the texture is like the one of cooked mushrooms. This insect is the best one we have tried (together with the ant eggs and the Colombian ants)!
Nutritional composition
Nutritional composition of palm weevils |
||
Fresh larvae | Dired larvae | |
Moisture | 62 % | – |
Proteins | 8 % | 21 % |
Lipids | 25 % | 67 % |
Carbohydrates | 3 % | 8 % |
Minerals | 2 % | 5,5 % |
Energy | 685 kcal/100g | 714 kcal/100g |
Source: Hilaire Macaire Womeni et al. Nutritional value and effect of cooking,drying and storage process on some functional properties of Rhynchophorus phoenicis. International Journal of Life Science & Pharma Research, Vol 2/Issue 3/Jul-Sept 2012.
If you are interested in a more detailed analysis, feel free to contact us.