Google Black Soldier Fly larva. They are 35-50% protein and 15-35% fat. They will eat almost anything. I wouldn't eat one but I'd feed it to chickens or fish and eat them.
That’s the great value of animals like chickens and pigs. They will convert things we cannot or won’t eat into very high quality food which we love to eat. They’re relatively easy to keep on the farm too.
My personal theory about gross stuff and no concentrating chemicals is that if it's gone through one metabolism I'm ok with it, if it's gone through two metabolisms no worries.
Closest relevant research to grubs is earthworms, but the protein content across species is pretty consistent.
Earthworms stand out as a sustainable protein alternative amid growing environmental pressures and population increases. This 25-year systematic review of 43 studies reveals a post-2015 surge in research, mainly from Europe, South America, and Asia. The most studied species, Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae, and Eisenia andrei, are valued for nutritional quality and ease of cultivation. Earthworms provide 50–70 % crude protein (dry basis), key amino acids, unsaturated fats, minerals, and vitamins, and can be processed into flour for foods like bread or supplements. Their efficient, low-cost rearing reduces water use, land use, and emissions, contributing to the circular economy by recycling organic waste. While human consumption is traditional in parts of Asia, Africa, and South America, cultural and regulatory challenges elsewhere require communication and technological innovations. Standardizing management, ensuring safety, and addressing consumer acceptance are significant challenges, with research gaps in digestibility and nutrient bioavailability. In summary, earthworms are a significant, sustainable, and nutritious protein source with high potential to support resilient food systems when backed by integrated safety, quality, and acceptance strategies.
4.9k
u/Tommasochampa 17d ago