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'''''Lethocerus indicus''''' is a [[giant water bug]] in the family [[Belostomatidae]], native to [[South Asia|South]] and [[Southeast Asia]], as well as southeast China, Korea, the [[Ryukyu Islands]] and [[New Guinea]].<ref name=Goodwyn>P. J. Perez-Goodwyn (2006). ''Taxonomic revision of the subfamily Lethocerinae Lauck & Menke (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae)". Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde.'' A (Biologie) 695: 1–71.</ref> It was originally described as ''Belostoma indicum'' but is no longer placed in that genus. It typically has a length between {{convert|6.5|and|8|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Goodwyn/> It is well known as an edible species, with a number of different Southeast Asian cuisines. The taste of the flight muscles is often compared to sweet scallops or shrimp.
'''''Lethocerus indicus''''' is a [[giant water bug]] in the family [[Belostomatidae]], native to [[South Asia|South]] and [[Southeast Asia]], as well as southeast China, Korea, the [[Ryukyu Islands]] and [[New Guinea]].<ref name=Goodwyn>P. J. Perez-Goodwyn (2006). ''Taxonomic revision of the subfamily Lethocerinae Lauck & Menke (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae)". Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde.'' A (Biologie) 695: 1–71.</ref> It was originally described as ''Belostoma indicum'' but is no longer placed in that genus.
This insect is well known as an edible species in a number of different Southeast Asian cuisines. The taste of the flight muscles is often compared to sweet scallops or shrimp.
==Description==
''Lethocerus indicus'' typically has a length between {{convert|6.5|and|8|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Goodwyn/>
⚫
==Research==
⚫
The large size of this insect and its [[insect flight|flight]] muscles and the ease of dissection makes it an excellent model organism for muscle structure with special features pertinent to the [[cardiac muscle]]. The high degree of structural order makes is possible to obtain [[X-ray diffraction]] patterns richer and more detailed than those from vertebrate [[striated muscle]]. <!--ref =Bekyrova et al.-->


==As food==
==As food==
===Vietnam===
The Vietnamese call this insect '''''cà cuống'''''. The insect's essence (a [[pheromone]] produced by the male that attracts females) is harvested by collecting its liquid-producing sacs. That liquid is then placed in small glass containers. The insect is claimed to be scarce,{{citation needed|date = October 2007}} and demand for the extract is high. Most of the ''cà cuống'' essence on the market is therefore imitation, with the actual essence fetching a high price. ''Cà cuống'' is typically used sparsely and eaten with ''[[bánh cuốn]]'' (rice noodle rolls) by adding a drop to the ''[[nước chấm]]'' (dipping sauce).
The Vietnamese call this insect '''''cà cuống'''''. The insect's essence (a [[pheromone]] produced by the male that attracts females) is harvested by collecting its liquid-producing sacs. That liquid is then placed in small glass containers. The insect is claimed to be scarce,{{citation needed|date = October 2007}} and demand for the extract is high. Most of the ''cà cuống'' essence on the market is therefore imitation, with the actual essence fetching a high price. ''Cà cuống'' is typically used sparsely and eaten with ''[[bánh cuốn]]'' (rice noodle rolls) by adding a drop to the ''[[nước chấm]]'' (dipping sauce).


It is also eaten in a soup dish called 'bún thang' adding a unique essence to the broth. The dish traditionally includes rice noodles, thinly sliced egg crepe, pork cold cuts, and other various additions in a chicken/dry squid broth. A tiny drop of the extract on the tip of a toothpick would suffice to flavor the whole bowl of soup. This dish originated in Northern Vietnam.
It is also eaten in a soup dish called 'bún thang' adding a unique essence to the broth. The dish traditionally includes rice noodles, thinly sliced egg crepe, pork cold cuts, and other various additions in a chicken/dry squid broth. A tiny drop of the extract on the tip of a toothpick would suffice to flavor the whole bowl of soup. This dish originated in Northern Vietnam.
===Thailand===

In the northeast region of [[Thailand]], eating insects is common. This species (known as ''malaeng da na'' or ''maeng da''; {{lang-th|แมลงดานา}} or {{lang-th|แมงดา}}) is a popular dish, eaten whole and fried, and as an extract.<ref>http://www.thaibugs.com/edible%20insects.htm - ThaiBugs.com</ref> Maeng da is used to make ''[[Nam phrik]] Maeng Da'', a type of chili sauce used as a condiment.<ref>[http://www.food-insects.com/book7_31/Chapter%2024%20SOUTHEASTERN%20ASIA%20-%20THAILAND.htm Chapter 24 SE Asia Thailand<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><br clear=all>
In the northeast region of [[Thailand]], eating insects is common. This species (known as ''malaeng da na'' or ''maeng da''; {{lang-th|แมลงดานา}} or {{lang-th|แมงดา}}) is a popular dish, eaten whole and fried, and as an extract.<ref>http://www.thaibugs.com/edible%20insects.htm - ThaiBugs.com</ref> Maeng da is used to make ''[[Nam phrik]] Maeng Da'', a type of chili sauce used as a condiment.<ref>[http://www.food-insects.com/book7_31/Chapter%2024%20SOUTHEASTERN%20ASIA%20-%20THAILAND.htm Chapter 24 SE Asia Thailand<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><br clear=all>
===Philippines===

In the [[Ilocos]] region in the northern part ([[Luzon]]) of the Philippines, where some insects like crickets, locusts, and beetles are eaten, the water bug (or "water beetle") is called ''alukap'' in [[Ilokano language]] and is sauteed or fried in oil, garlic, onions and tomatoes, or roasted, after the wings and legs have been removed, and eaten as a viand for steamed rice or as a finger food with liquor. The same is done in the [[Visayas]] region where it is called ''obus'' in the [[Visayan language]].<ref>[http://www.food-insects.com/book7_31/Chapter%2025%20Other%20Countries%20in%20SE%20Asia.htm Chapter 25 Other Countries in SE Asia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In the [[Ilocos]] region in the northern part ([[Luzon]]) of the [[Philippines]] some insects such as crickets, locusts, and beetles are traditionally eaten. The water bug or water beetle is known as ''alukap'' in [[Ilokano language]]. It is sauteed or fried in oil, garlic, onions and tomatoes, or roasted, after the wings and legs have been removed, and eaten as a viand for steamed rice or as a finger food with liquor. The same is done in the [[Visayas]] region where it is called ''obus'' in the [[Visayan language]].<ref>[http://www.food-insects.com/book7_31/Chapter%2025%20Other%20Countries%20in%20SE%20Asia.htm Chapter 25 Other Countries in SE Asia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
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==See also==

*[[List of Thai ingredients]]
⚫
==Research==
==Bibliography==
⚫
The large size of this insect and its [[insect flight|flight]] muscles and the ease of dissection makes it an excellent model organism for muscle structure with special features pertinent to [[cardiac muscle]]. The high degree of structural order makes is possible to obtain [[X-ray diffraction]] patterns richer and more detailed than those from vertebrate [[striated muscle]]. <!--ref =Bekyrova et al.-->

==Notes==
⚫
{{reflist}}

⚫
==References==
*Gene DeFoliart of [http://www.food-insects.com/ food-insects.com][http://www.food-insects.com/book7_31/Chapter%2025%20Other%20Countries%20in%20SE%20Asia.htm]
*Gene DeFoliart of [http://www.food-insects.com/ food-insects.com][http://www.food-insects.com/book7_31/Chapter%2025%20Other%20Countries%20in%20SE%20Asia.htm]
* Bekyarova, T. I., Baumann, B. A .J., Reedy, M. C., Tregear, R. T., Ward, A., Krzic, U., Prince, K. M., Reconditi, M., Gore, D., Irving, T. C., and Reedy, M. K. “Crossbridges as Passive Brakes: Reverse Actin Sliding Triggers Strong Myosin Binding That Moves Tropomyosin”PNAS 105:10372-10377 (2008).
* Bekyarova, T. I., Baumann, B. A .J., Reedy, M. C., Tregear, R. T., Ward, A., Krzic, U., Prince, K. M., Reconditi, M., Gore, D., Irving, T. C., and Reedy, M. K. “Crossbridges as Passive Brakes: Reverse Actin Sliding Triggers Strong Myosin Binding That Moves Tropomyosin”PNAS 105:10372-10377 (2008).
⚫
==References==
⚫
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{commons category inline|Lethocerus indicus}}


{{Condiments}}
{{Condiments}}

Revision as of 04:21, 13 December 2014

Lethocerus indicus
Lethocerus indicus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Belostomatidae
Genus:
Lethocerus
Species:
L. indicus
Binomial name
Lethocerus indicus
Synonyms

Belostoma indicum

Lethocerus indicus is a giant water bug in the family Belostomatidae, native to South and Southeast Asia, as well as southeast China, Korea, the Ryukyu Islands and New Guinea.[1] It was originally described as Belostoma indicum but is no longer placed in that genus.

This insect is well known as an edible species in a number of different Southeast Asian cuisines. The taste of the flight muscles is often compared to sweet scallops or shrimp.

Description

Lethocerus indicus typically has a length between 6.5 and 8 cm (2.6 and 3.1 in).[1]

Research

The large size of this insect and its flight muscles and the ease of dissection makes it an excellent model organism for muscle structure with special features pertinent to the cardiac muscle. The high degree of structural order makes is possible to obtain X-ray diffraction patterns richer and more detailed than those from vertebrate striated muscle.

As food

Vietnam

The Vietnamese call this insect cà cuống. The insect's essence (a pheromone produced by the male that attracts females) is harvested by collecting its liquid-producing sacs. That liquid is then placed in small glass containers. The insect is claimed to be scarce,[citation needed] and demand for the extract is high. Most of the cà cuống essence on the market is therefore imitation, with the actual essence fetching a high price. Cà cuống is typically used sparsely and eaten with bánh cuốn (rice noodle rolls) by adding a drop to the nước chấm (dipping sauce).

It is also eaten in a soup dish called 'bún thang' adding a unique essence to the broth. The dish traditionally includes rice noodles, thinly sliced egg crepe, pork cold cuts, and other various additions in a chicken/dry squid broth. A tiny drop of the extract on the tip of a toothpick would suffice to flavor the whole bowl of soup. This dish originated in Northern Vietnam.

Thailand

In the northeast region of Thailand, eating insects is common. This species (known as malaeng da na or maeng da; Thai: แมลงดานา or Thai: แมงดา) is a popular dish, eaten whole and fried, and as an extract.[2] Maeng da is used to make Nam phrik Maeng Da, a type of chili sauce used as a condiment.[3]

Philippines

In the Ilocos region in the northern part (Luzon) of the Philippines some insects such as crickets, locusts, and beetles are traditionally eaten. The water bug or water beetle is known as alukap in Ilokano language. It is sauteed or fried in oil, garlic, onions and tomatoes, or roasted, after the wings and legs have been removed, and eaten as a viand for steamed rice or as a finger food with liquor. The same is done in the Visayas region where it is called obus in the Visayan language.[4]

Fried giant water bugs.
Nam phrik maengda made with crushed Lethocerus indicus.

See also

Bibliography

  • Gene DeFoliart of food-insects.com[1]
  • Bekyarova, T. I., Baumann, B. A .J., Reedy, M. C., Tregear, R. T., Ward, A., Krzic, U., Prince, K. M., Reconditi, M., Gore, D., Irving, T. C., and Reedy, M. K. “Crossbridges as Passive Brakes: Reverse Actin Sliding Triggers Strong Myosin Binding That Moves Tropomyosin”PNAS 105:10372-10377 (2008).

References

  1. ^ a b P. J. Perez-Goodwyn (2006). Taxonomic revision of the subfamily Lethocerinae Lauck & Menke (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae)". Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde. A (Biologie) 695: 1–71.
  2. ^ http://www.thaibugs.com/edible%20insects.htm - ThaiBugs.com
  3. ^ Chapter 24 SE Asia Thailand
  4. ^ Chapter 25 Other Countries in SE Asia
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