Nutritional value of various insects per 100 grams

The exact nutritional value of an insect type can vary depending on various factors, including exact species, its diet and the environment it lived in.

One analyze of caterpillars showed 9.7 grams or protein and 1.9 mg of iron per 100 grams. Another analyze of caterpillars showed 28.2 grams of protein and 35.5 mg of iron per 100 grams. Since the application of the word caterpillar is arbitrary and can be used to describe a wide range of larvae, including all larvae in the large order Lepidoptera, these differences are not surprising.

Two tests involving different grasshoppers came up with 20.6 grams or protein per 100 grams vs. 14.3 grams of protein per 100 grams. Other factors varied as well: 6.1 g fat / 3.3 g fat, 3.9 g carbohydrate / 2.2 g carbohydrate, 35.2 mg calcium / 27.5 mg calcium, and 5 mg iron / 3 mg iron. There are approximately 11,000 different recognized species of grasshopper, divided into 8 different superfamilies and roughly 2,400 genera.

Insect Protein (g) Fat (g) Carbohydrate (g) Calcium (mg) Iron (mg)
Cricket 12.9 5.5 5.1 75.8 9.5
Dung Beetle 17.2 4.3 .2 30.9 7.7
Giant Water Beetle 19.8 8.3 2.1 43.5 13.6
June Beetle 13.4 1.4 2.9 22.6 6.0
Red Ant 13.9 3.5 2.9 47.8 5.7
Silk Worm Pupae 9.6 5.6 2.3 41.7 1.8
Termite 14.2 N/A N/A N/A 35.5
Weevil 6.7 N/A N/A N/A 13.1

For comparison

Insect Protein (g) Fat (g) Carbohydrate (g) Calcium (mg) Iron (mg)
Lean Ground Beef 27.4 N/A N/A N/A 3.5
Broiled Cod 28.5 N/A N/A N/A 1.0

Sources

The data in the table above comes from:

  • The Food Insects Newsletter, July 1996, Vol. 9, No. 2, ed, by Florence V. Dunkel, Montana State University
  • Bugs In the System, by May Berenbaum