Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2000 17:33:05 +0930 From: Kevin Cook <K.Cook@bom.gov.au> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2869$foo@default> Subject: Re: Entomophagy
At 17:28 22/09/2000 -0700, you wrote:
> > Does anyone know any good grasshopper/locust repellents? I'd rather not
> > use chemicals on my plants, but I will consider this.
> >
>If the things are that big why not try eating them yourself? Apparently they
>contain more protein than prime beef.There are apparently a few restaurants
>in London and New York that serve them up (cooked of course).
>John "gourmet "Wilden
>Southport
>Lancs.
According to the Old Testament, grasshoppers and locusts are Kosher
(Leviticus 11:20-23).
However, I have identified the giant grasshopper I saw as Zalanga
irregularis (aka The Giant Grasshopper) and according to Tom McRae
("Insects in Human Diet") the plants on which it feeds contain toxic
alkaloids giving it a bitter taste.
It's a pity I can't eat the grasshoppers eating my plants. If I could
develop Nepenthes that trapped the mosquitoes that live off my blood, I
could almost have a closed food chain.
On a more serious note, my second suspect in the latest attack on my
Nepenthes is a pea size black beetle. Last year, I followed chew marks on
a leaf (N. albomarginata x vetichii) which lead to chew marks on the
peristome, a half eaten pitcher lid and a drowned beetle. The very next
day there were more chew marks and a second drowned beetle in the same
pitcher. By the week's end there were four drowned beetles in the one
pitcher. Curiously, two of these disappeared within a few days. I suspect
a gecko.
I believe these beetles burrow into the potting mix when they're not
feeding. So bringing the pot in out of the garden doesn't help.
It is an extremely unpleasant experience to discover a Nepenthes chewed
ragged. I would welcome any other suggestions. (thanks to Michael
Pagoulatos for the Nolo Bait tip).
Happy Growing
Kevin Cook
Darwin
Australia
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