Table of Contents

• Crickets
• Grasshoppers
• Locusts
• Ants
• Moths
• Wasps/Bees
• Beetles



Hopefully, you’re never in a situation where your only source of protein belongs to this list of creepy crawlers. However, if you are so unfortunate it’s better to know your options. In a situation where you are limited in such a way, knowing which bugs are both edible and a good source of protein will instantly promote your place on the food chain.   

This Edible Insects List includes seven protein packing bugs that are comparable to meats such as steak and fish, as far as protein content is concerned. The list includes Crickets, Grasshoppers, Locusts, Ants, Moths, Wasps/Bees and Beetles. 

Crickets: This chirping critter is loaded with protein. About 60% of a cricket’s mass is made up of protein. The only small problem is a “small” problem. Crickets are small, and you would have to eat a lot of them to get a fair amount of protein. A sufficient amount of protein would require that you eat anywhere from 5 to 15 crickets, depending on your size, of course. 

Grasshoppers: These jumpy gents are also packed with protein. In fact, they beat out the protein content of our friend the cricket by 12%. A grasshopper is 72% protein. If you can stand to eat enough of them, you will indeed get all 9 essential amino acids.  

Locusts: These noisy guys have something to buzz about: They are about 28% protein. Though you would have to eat a bunch of them to get the same benefit, they do pack about the same amount of protein as beef. It may be quite some time before the world is ready to swap out a hamburger for a locust patty, however, in an emergency situation they will serve you just as well.

Ants: Ants are made up of about 14% protein. To yield a substantial amount of protein from your ant meal, you would need to gather about 200 grams’ worth of them. When it comes to ants, this does not sound too difficult. Toss out a small piece of bread, wait a bit, and you will likely have enough ants to take in sufficient amount of protein. In addition to a protein punch that beats out an egg, ants provide about 48 grams of calcium, a good bit of iron and lots of other nutrients. 

Moths: Though they may be tough to capture, moths offer a decent amount of protein. The male moth is made up of about 63% protein. If you are cooking with an open flame, the moths may do some of the hard work for you by leading themselves right to it. 

Wasps/Bees: Although you run the risk of being stung, in a high stakes situation it may be well worth it. Wasps and Bees are loaded with a massive 13-77 grams of protein per 100 grams of their overall composition. Compare that to raw beef coming in at 19-26 grams. In a survival situation, these tricky creatures could be the difference between life and death. 

Beetles: Beetles are another high source of protein, and fortunately much easier to catch than their former mentioned counterparts. Not to mention less dangerous. Beetles range between 20-66 grams of protein.  Now that’s what I call packin’! If you do find yourself scrummaging around for a crawling treat, look for the juiciest ones! 

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