As the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences points out, this year will see the return of the 17-year periodical cicada. Well, for you foodies out there, this may prove to be a rare opportunity.
Although Americans are gradually increasing their intentional insect intake — a few bug parts get into everything from apple butter to wheat flour — the practice remains more a matter of novelty than nutrition. But when the billions of cicadas belonging to Brood X (the X stands for 10) leave their underground habitats next month, people who want to taste a bug may find their garage doors laden with opportunities. [Barr]
Barr, Cameron W. “Cicada: The Other, Other White Meat.” The Washington Post. 16 April 2004. <www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A16047-2004Apr15> (18 April 2004).