CATDOLL : CATDOLL: How to raise cicadas artificially, techniques and methods for raising golden cicadas

How to raise cicadas artificially, techniques and methods for raising golden cicadas

Collection of cicada eggs: On sunny days, female cicadas mostly lay eggs on the branches of poplar willows, apple trees or white willows. Pick the withered branches by hand to make seedlings to hatch small cicada larvae. Two to three egg branches can be buried per square meter. Site selection: You should choose poplar willow forests, old apple orchards and river beaches with dense white willow branches. The soil should not be sandy, hardened, or termite-free. Loose and moist loam is preferred.

Warm reminder: Golden cicadas are protected wild animals. Protecting wild animals starts with ourselves. We should refuse to buy or sell wild animal products and do not interfere with the free life of wild animals. The current behavior of eating precious and endangered wild animals is not only a social bad habit, but also one of the reasons why illegal hunting and killing of precious and endangered wild animals are rampant. No buying or selling means no killing. Stop eating wild animals. They do not belong on the table.

1. How to raise cicadas artificially

1. Collection of cicada eggs

(1) In sunny weather, female cicadas tend to lay eggs on the branches of willow or apple trees with lush green leaves. They particularly like to lay eggs on white willow branches.

(2) The branches will wither on their own in 8 to 10 days after laying eggs. If you observe carefully, you will see granular eggs attached to the withered branches. Pick the withered branches by hand and use them as seedlings to hatch small cicada larvae. There are about 50 cicada eggs in one egg branch. Two to three egg branches can be buried per square meter.

2. Choose a venue

The site for burying egg branches should be selected in the willow forest, old apple orchard and river beach with white willow branches. The soil should not be sandy, hardened, ant-free or rodent-free; it should be loose and moist loam. It is also advisable to choose the place where there were more cicadas last year as the site for burying egg branches.

3. Planting egg branches

White willow seedlings can be dug up by the river or moist land and planted in loose loam soil, with a plant spacing of 35 cm and a row spacing of 90 cm. 2,300 plants can be planted per mu. Dig a 3 cm deep trench between two rows of white willows, bury the egg branches and cover with 9 cm of soil. You can also dig a 9 cm deep trench in a willow forest or an old apple orchard 2 meters away from the main trunk, bury the egg branches, and cover with flat soil and tamp it down.

4. Breeding management

After the cicada eggs are buried in the ground, attention should be paid to drainage and waterlogging prevention in the rainy season. In dry days, water the white willow branches, willow trees or apple trees. While watering, topdress with farmyard manure to promote luxuriant growth and provide sufficient nutrition sources for the young cicadas, so that the young cicadas can grow vigorously, increase their size and increase their yield. Strictly prevent trampling by humans and animals and damage by natural enemies such as ants and rodents.

5. Harvesting and processing

After burying the eggs for 2 to 3 years, the cicadas begin to grow and mature. The harvesting period is generally during the summer solstice. If there is a heavy rain, the fat and strong cicadas will start to drill out of the ground at 4 to 5 in the morning, or after the rain, the cicadas will drill out of the ground at any time, and quickly find willow branches or tree trunks to climb up. After 2-4 hours, they will shed their skin and become cicadas (zhiliao).

2. Techniques and methods of raising cicadas

1. Choose a venue

First of all, choose a suitable site as the place to plant golden cicadas. The planting site should be a site with convenient drainage and irrigation, fertile soil, preferably sandy soil, and cheap rent. Also observe whether there are golden cicadas unearthed nearby. If these conditions are met, it can basically be used to plant golden cicadas.

2. Selection of tree species

Planting trees is an important part of breeding cicadas. If the trees are good, the yield of cicadas will be high. You can choose poplar, fruit trees, elm, willow (bamboo willow), etc. At present, bamboo willow is mostly chosen for breeding cicadas. Bamboo willow grows fast, is resistant to flooding, easy to survive, and can be planted at a high density.

3. Irrigation

Since planting trees requires water, in order to provide the trees with sufficient water, they should be watered and irrigated in time, so as to ensure the growth of the trees and the growth of the root system, providing favorable conditions for breeding cicadas. If the weather is dry, irrigation should also be carried out in time. Irrigation equipment costs about 150-200 yuan per mu of land.

4. Hatching Cicada Ants

The time for hatching cicada ants is in April. When the weather gradually warms up, the egg branches begin to hatch. After May, purchase egg branches for hatching. When hatching, you should pay attention to the temperature and humidity of the egg branches. The egg branches should be kept away from direct sunlight. Observe the state of the egg branches frequently and add water appropriately. Do not let the egg branches dry, otherwise mites will break out. Once mites break out, they should be controlled with medication in time.

5. Place egg branches

The hatched egg branches begin to produce cicada ants around May-June. After the cicada ants have emerged, you need to choose a suitable method to plant the egg branches. Common methods of planting include hanging branches, cutting branches, scattering egg branches and scattering cicada ants. Before planting, you must prepare for the cicada ants to enter the soil. More cracks in the ground are conducive to the entrapment of cicada ants.

6. Harvest and capture

The cultivated cicadas start to emerge at the end of June (the emergence time of cicadas varies in different regions), and July and August are the time when the cicadas emerge in large numbers. At this time, you should wrap tape 1.5 meters above the tree in advance to prevent the cicadas from climbing high and to facilitate their capture.

What insects can be made into delicious dishes?

What insects can be made into delicious dishes?

The first type: locust (commonly known as grasshopper)

Locusts are both edible and medicinal insects, and their edible and medicinal values ​​are relatively high. Locusts are rich in active substances such as protein, carbohydrates, insect hormones, and contain vitamins A, B, C and trace elements such as phosphorus, calcium, iron, zinc, and manganese. Locusts are not only delicious food, but also a good medicine for treating diseases. They have the effects of warming the stomach and ribs, strengthening the spleen and digestion, and dispelling wind and relieving cough. The Compendium of Materia Medica records that locusts can be used alone or in combination to treat a variety of diseases, such as tetanus, infantile convulsions, fever, asthma, sha swell, cormorant plague, frostbite, tracheitis, and prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

The most classic ways to eat locusts are: fried locusts, braised locusts, grilled locusts, etc.

The second type: silkworm pupa

Silkworm pupae are the pupae that the silkworms turn into in the cocoon after spinning silk to make cocoons. Silkworm pupae are not only delicious but also nutritious. Silkworm pupae are rich in protein and multiple amino acids, which are comparable to pork tenderloin, and do not contain too much saturated fat. At the same time, the essential amino acids in silkworm pupa protein are complete in variety and proportion, easy to digest and absorb, and have a high utilization rate in the human body. They are a high-quality source of animal protein. Unsaturated fatty acids account for 70.9% of the fat in silkworm pupae, of which α-linolenic acid is the majority, which has a good anti-inflammatory and anti-infection effect, and is also beneficial for lowering blood pressure, lowering blood lipids and improving immunity. In addition, silkworm pupae are also rich in vitamins and active substances such as ergosterol.

The most classic ways to eat silkworm pupae are: grilled silkworm pupae (I believe that friends who have watched Song Xiaobao's sketches know this way of eating), spicy fried silkworm pupae, dry fried silkworm pupae, etc.

The third type: Cicada (also called cicada monkey)

I believe that many of my friends have caught cicadas when they were young, and many of them should know that cicada molts can be used as medicine. When I was young, I often went to the fields to find cicada molts and bought them at the pharmacy. The cicadas used for consumption are cicada monkeys that have not yet formed adults, which are in the nymph stage. Cicadas at this stage are the most delicious when cooked, commonly known as golden cicadas. Cicada monkeys not only have a high protein content, but also contain calcium, phosphorus, iron, and multiple vitamins and trace elements necessary for the human body. Their edible value is quite high. The price of cicada monkeys on the market is not cheap at present.

The most classic ways to eat cicada monkeys are: salt and pepper cicada monkeys, stir-fried cicada monkeys, and deep-fried cicada monkeys.

1. Agave Worm

This thing has a very convoluted name, Mezcal Worm. Mezcal is a liquor similar to tequila. Mexicans will put this worm in the bottle of Mezcal to prove that the liquor is authentic. But some people buy the liquor just to taste the worm inside, which is stimulating and replenishes protein. Well, it tastes good when fried.

2. Ants

Ants are simple and delicious to eat. For example, leafcutter ants taste a bit like bacon, a bit like nuts when eaten raw, and a bit like popcorn when fried. There are also lemon ants that taste like lemons, and honeypot ants that have a slightly sour taste and are suitable for eating raw. Friends who like sweet tastes will definitely be fascinated by them.

3. Bamboo worm

In Thailand, people can make a feast out of fried bamboo worms. Although it may not look like much, it tastes delicious and sweet.

4. Bees

I heard that both bee larvae and adults have an amazing umami taste. Some people roast them and dip them in butter, or fry them to make bee cookies, which taste like bacon and fried mushrooms. So bees don't taste sweet.

5. Beetle

It seems that humans love to eat beetles, accounting for 31% of the world's insect food consumption, ranking first. After all, few people can resist the taste of fried beetles.

6. Caterpillar

According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, caterpillars are the second most eaten insect in the world, accounting for 18%. Especially in some resource-scarce areas, the following dishes are often seen on people's tables: boiled caterpillars, fried caterpillars and dried caterpillars.

7. Centipede

Centipede skewers are common in many food streets in my country. They are crispy and delicious, and are one of the must-try foods for foreigners when traveling to China. Brothers who want to DIY at home should be careful not to undercook the centipedes and get bit by them. The swelling will hurt for several days.

8. Cicada

Four words, soft, tender and juicy. Although it takes courage to eat it just by looking at its appearance, I heard that it is good to eat it cooked or raw. To be safe, it is better to cook it and sterilize it.

9. Cockroach

Next time before you stomp on a roach, imagine it's a piece of fried chicken. Yes, cockroaches are nutritious and taste like plump chicken. But you have to cook them thoroughly at a high temperature to kill any germs they may carry.

10. Cricket

Crickets are eaten around the world, with dozens of recipes ranging from battered crickets to cakes, pancakes, soup and even sauce. Simple roasted crickets are a common street food in Mexico, Thailand and Cambodia.

11. Dragonfly

Indonesians wave reeds soaked in palm juice in the air to catch dragonflies. Soon, a plate of fried dragonflies appears on their dining table.

12. Dung Beetle

Do you think dung beetles are full of poop? In fact, they are delicious and nutritious little protein bombs. They are delicious boiled or fried, but never eat them raw. You definitely don't want the bacteria they carry to get into your stomach.

13. Earthworms

Earthworms are rich in protein and iron. Dig a bunch and cook them. They are healthy and filling. The smart people of Venezuela have long used earthworms as food, sometimes even raw. You will be very happy to see the wriggling earthworms playfully crawling into your mouth.

14. Fly Pupa

Fly pupae are described as "blood pudding" because they are rich in iron. Some people eat them for health and environmental reasons.

15. Grasshopper

Grilled grasshoppers are a common delicacy on Mexican tables. They are served with chili peppers and lime. They are delicious, high in protein and calcium, and have a crunchy sound when eaten. But if you eat them raw, they probably won't taste very good. Bear Grylls' frown when he eats raw grasshoppers is proof of this.

16. Hawkmoth

Hawk moths, also known as tomato hawk moths, are basically the king of garden destruction. Cooking them and eating them will also save your tomatoes. It is said that they taste like shrimp. Or you can cook a tomato stir-fry with hawk moths and let them die together.

17. Stink bug

Rich in B vitamins, it tastes like cinnamon. You can try it next time you see it, but stink bugs are very tenacious and can survive even if boiled for a long time. It is best to soak them overnight to remove the odor before boiling them. Stink bugs also have analgesic properties. Although they are not as powerful as specific drugs, if you find them in harsh environments, you should know that they are a treasure.

18. Junebug

Roasted June bugs are a popular snack for local Americans. They can even replace popcorn. They are fragrant, crunchy, and nutritious. You might as well try DIYing a plate of roasted June bugs and adding beer. Eating them with a movie is even more unique.

19. Leeches

If you have a pond or a small lake near your home, you don't have to worry about having no food to eat, and you don't have to go out of your way to fish. When you're hungry, just catch a few leeches and cook them. The best way to eat them is to grind them into a paste, add some flavor, and stir-fry them.

20. Locust

They taste similar to crickets and have a texture similar to grasshoppers. They can be roasted, fried or boiled, or you can be creative and mash them up to make soups or sauces, such as corn cream locust soup or lemongrass fried chicken with locust sauce.

21. Mopane caterpillar

This is a traditional food of the Tsonga people in northern South Africa for centuries. They collect Mopane caterpillars and sell them to people in other parts of South Africa because it is a rare delicacy. This caterpillar is actually the larva of a monarch moth. It lives on mopane trees and eats mopane leaves. It usually grows fat only during the rainy season from December to January. Because of its fat content, its price is even more expensive than beef.

22. Mealworm

Its name is Mealworm, and it seems to be born to be eaten. You only need to get a small pot of mealworms (or mealworm beetles), fry, stir-fry, boil or deep-fry as you like. It is said to taste like shrimp and has a slight nutty flavor. It can be sprinkled on chocolate bars as nuts.

Cicada Monkey

The most common insect in the summer in the north is the cicada monkey, which is the favorite of many foodies. The cicada monkey is also known as the cicada turtle, crawling grasshopper, grasshopper cicada, black cicada, etc. Its scientific name is golden cicada. It was a traditional medicinal food in ancient times and is also a very commonly used Chinese medicine. It has the characteristics of high protein, high nutrition, pure natural, pollution-free, and pure green. In the north, it is usually fried and eaten, which is particularly fragrant.

Scorpion

In rural areas, scorpions are known as one of the five poisonous creatures along with poisonous snakes, centipedes, toads, and spiders. However, in some barbecue restaurants, scorpions are very popular. Although scorpions are poisonous, they have been used as medicine for more than a thousand years. In some places, scorpions are still a famous delicacy and can be processed and cooked into hundreds of delicious dishes, such as fried whole scorpions and scorpion nourishing soup. Fried scorpions are especially crispy and delicious, and crispy but not hard, which is rich in a unique way.

Bean weevils

Bean rice weevils are really amazing. Now I heard that one pound can be sold for tens of thousands of yuan, and the price of one worm is tens of yuan. In ancient times, there was a saying that one dou of rice could be exchanged for one worm, hence the name. Bean rice weevils, also known as bird-resistant thorn weevils. They have been used in folk medicine in my country for thousands of years. They are mainly used to treat children's anorexia, picky eating, indigestion, stunted development, crying and bedwetting caused by weak spleen and stomach "malnutrition". It is said that this kind of worm is particularly fragrant when roasted, with a strong aroma and excellent taste!

Bamboo worm

This is a kind of insect that parasitizes bamboo, also known as bamboo wasp, bamboo maggot, bamboo shoot maggot. This insect looks a bit like a silkworm, with a spindle-shaped body, round and plump, and it has small eyes and a small black mouth. Some people praise it for being cute, but some people say it looks a bit like a "maggot" and is a bit disgusting. However, after being fried, the bamboo worm is golden and shiny, and has a sweet fragrance, like the taste of butter. Of course, there is another point, that is, the protein content is very high.

Ass-slapping bug

Can fart bugs be eaten? Are you shocked? Don't underestimate fart bugs. In some hotels, a plate of fart bugs costs hundreds of yuan! Fart bugs are also called stinky sisters, stink bugs, stink bugs, and stink bugs. This kind of insect mainly feeds on the sap on the stems and leaves of crops. If you accidentally touch it, it will release a strange and smelly gas to protect itself. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has another high-sounding name-Nine Fragrant Bugs. After being fried, it is still a delicious medicinal delicacy that can regulate qi, relieve pain, warm the middle and strengthen yang.

Chili

Most of the friends who grew up in the countryside should have had the experience of being stung by a mulberry. Now is the chance for revenge. In winter, after taking out the mulberry hanging on the tree, put it in a pan and fry it over a slow fire. When the skin cracks, it can be eaten. Some places also like to roast it directly over fire. It is crispy and delicious, and it also has a golden oily sheen, which is very tempting.

Are the above 6 common insects in the countryside your favorite dishes? However, the farmer wants to say that although these insects are delicious and nutritious, they must be thoroughly cooked before eating, especially some poisonous insects, so you still have to be very careful.

Golden cicada - the larva of cicada, commonly known as cicada monkey. Golden cicada has high nutritional value and is known as Tang Monk's meat. Due to the high nutritional value and unique taste of golden cicada, as well as its multiple tonic and medicinal functions on the human body, people have long compared eating golden cicada to "Tang Monk's meat" that can make people immortal.

Tools and Materials:

Golden cicada, edible oil

How to operate

01

Clean the cicada.

02

Heat the pan with cold oil, and pour the cicada directly into the oil. It is better to have more oil than cicada.

03

Because the cicada has a lot of water in its body, you need to fry it for a while longer. Do not fry it over high heat. Fry it until it turns golden brown and then take it out. Then sprinkle salt and you are done!

04

During the frying process, some of the belly parts will crack, revealing the white meat. When the white meat turns golden yellow, as shown in the picture, it means it is crispy. At this time, fry it for about another minute before removing from the pan.

05

Take out and put it on a plate, sprinkle with thirteen spices and a little salt.

Seasoning, salt water, cumin powder, peanut oil.

1. Put the live grasshoppers in a pot and cover it (for ventilation) for 2 days. After the grasshoppers have excreted all their feces, put them in a pot of boiling water and kill them. Take them out, remove the head, limbs, wings and internal organs, put them into the pot with salt water, simmer for a while, take them out and drain.

2. Heat the oil in a pan until it is 40% hot, put the grasshoppers in and fry until golden brown, then remove from the pan.

1. Grasshoppers are easy to crisp up, just 2 to 3 minutes

2. If you like spicy food, you can sprinkle some chili powder

raw material

Main ingredients: 500 grams of live cicadas, 5 grams of scallion segments, 5 grams of ginger slices, and 200 grams of clean lettuce.

Seasoning: 5 grams of Shaoxing wine, 10 grams of soy sauce, 2 grams of sugar, 20 grams of sesame oil, 2 grams of pepper, 2 grams of MSG, 500 grams of salad oil (about 100 grams consumed), and 5 grams of chili powder.

Preparation method

(1) Cut off the claws and wings of the live cicada, cut open the belly and remove the internal organs, put it in a bowl, add soy sauce, sugar, chili powder, MSG, scallion segments, and ginger slices, mix well, and marinate for 10 minutes until the flavor is absorbed. Cut the lettuce into small strips and place it on a plate.

(2) Place a wok on high heat, add salad oil and heat until 60% hot. Put cicadas in and fry until the shells are soft. Remove from heat and wait until the oil temperature rises to 80%. Add cicadas and fry again until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Remove from heat and drain. Place on lettuce, sprinkle with pepper and drizzle with sesame oil.