Encosternum delegorguei - Edible Stink Bug
Insects have lived for over 400 million years and accounts for 75% of all living animals. There are over 1 850 species of insects which are good for human consumption and the light green shield-shaped bug from southern and central Africa is one of them. It is considered a highly nutritious (with proteins made up of essential amino acids) delicacy in Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Your edible stinkbugs are light green or yellow, shield-shaped, with a small triangular head and a length of about 28mm.
You can find these bugs in the tropical and subtropical woodlands and the bushveld. They aggregate in sunny tree tops and love to feed on leadwood, velvet bush willow, weeping wattle and the sand olive plant.
This little bug secretes chemicals which can stain your hands, cause temporary blindness and leaves a very unpleasant smell.
For consumption you need to put these bugs in warm water, stir it well so they become distressed as this will cause them to secrete all their chemicals. Rinse them well, then boil them for 5-10 min, then sun-dry them for a few days. You can either eat them dry or fry them in butter and a little bit of salt.
