Are LIVE cicadas safe to eat?

Question

I wanna gross out some of my friends this summer by eating some live cicadas. they are all around me and i just wanna know is it safe to eat these things alive, not cooked? Are the know to carry diseases like roaches? Has anyone eaten a live cicada before?

as haysoos2 said, it seems like those spiky legs might be a problem eating, does anyone know if this is a problem? they seem pretty safe to eat but have any of you guys eaten them b4. im looking for someone with experience.

Answer 1

As paperclip said, there is the potential for a cicada to be carrying bacteria or parasites that would not be good for you.

However, the probability of actually catching anything from a cicada is extremely low. Probably lower than the same risk you take if you eat your lunch without washing your hands first.

The toughest part would be swallowing the legs and the wings. They would tend to catch in the throat, and the spiky legs would be less than pleasant, and possibly even do some damage as you ate them. If possible, I'd remove those first.

During cicada outbreaks, dogs often eat dozens of live cicadas, with little or no ill effect - except that they often end up barfing up cicada bits because the legs upset their stomachs.

If you are really worried about disease, bacteria or parasites, you could try cooking the cicada first. Wrapping one in a large, wet leaf (banana leaf would work well, or possibly corn husks soaked in water), and then roasting it on the BBQ would probably add to the gruesomeness of the spectacle.

Answer 2

From a WEIRD website:
"But I have a friend who eats them raw as adults. Just the abdomen. He cuts the head and thorax off -- like shrimp. He says they taste like cream cheese. I haven't tried them that way. I have though of pulling the wings and legs off adults and just boiling them in water with lots of Old Bay seasoning. I imagine they'd be delicious that way."

Also have some great recipes on there for ways to cook & eat them -- might go down better.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bal-artslife-cicada-cuisine,0,6719544.story

Answer 3

They are not safe to eat. If you want to gross out your friends, do something else. Eating a live insect always has dangers, and many bacteria can be carried by Cicadas including anthrax. Remember, they are bugs that lived in the ground for 17 years. They will contain any diseases found in the ground.

Answer 4

You can eat them live, but you are risking the fact that some might have viruses or other problems. If you really want to eat them, try to smoke them in a smoker and add a little bit of caramel/chocolate. Taste just like grasshoppers!!

Answer 5

have fun!