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An unexpected Twist


An unexpected Twist
Photo Information
Copyright: Anna Eksteen (Miss_Piggy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 830 W: 0 N: 960] (2955)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-01-02
Categories: Insects
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC H9, Digital ISO 100
Exposure: f/3.2, 1/320 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-01-31 15:23
Viewed: 1214
Points: 82
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Unidentified grasshopper / Anonymousa meadowjumperostrus

Many of us try to give as much information as possible pertaining to the subject when posting a photo. That is of course when you know what it is that you are posting. In this case I don't have the faintest clue what type of grasshopper this is and I can guarantee you that it is not due to a lack of effort. All I know is that it is a yellowish-green hopper...

If anybody out there can assist me with the ID it would be highly appreciated.

So, instead of a giving you any information on this insect I'm going to tell you about something which I am sure you won't be expecting, thus you'll have to read all the way through my notes to see what's it all about.

In the last couple of years I have compiled a number of recipe books on various topics, but never in my wildest dreams had I thought there might be people who would want recipes on how to prepare and present insect dishes.

Whilst preparing my notes to accompany this posting, my original thought was to give some information on grasshoppers in general. In my search, I came across this strange but very interesting topic "Bug food - Insect Snacks from Around the World".

All humans eat different things. Some eat lima beans, spinach, broccoli, or turnip greens. Some eat hamburgers, hotdogs, potato chips, or pork sausages. The list of what humans eat could take hundreds of pages to write.

Believe it or not, many people eat grasshoppers, which are high in protein and low in fat.

Many cultures around the globe have evolved to use insects in their diets. There probably was some trial and error involved because not all insects are edible. In fact, some insects are poisonous, but there are lots of insects that are safely eaten by people around the world.

The citizens of Algeria collect large numbers of desert locusts to use as food. They are a valuable resource for the poor population. The locusts are cooked in salt water and dried in the sun. Not only are they collected for personal use, but the locusts are traded in the markets as well.

The Japanese use insects as human food since ancient times. The practice probably started in the Japanese Alps, where many aquatic insects were captured and eaten. The region had a large human population but a shortage of animal protein. Since the area had an abundance of aquatic insects, this food source became very important for human survival.

The Japanese still use insects in many recipes. If you were to go to a restaurant in Tokyo, you might have the opportunity to sample many insect-based dishes including fried rice-field grasshoppers known as "inago" on the menu.

Grasshoppers and crickets are collected from soil tunnels which they build. These insects are roasted over a fire or hot coals. The guts are removed before they are eaten. After cooking, the wings are removed and salt is added to taste. They are eaten by people of all ages and there are no taboos associated with them. Some farmers will even eat uncooked grasshoppers, just removing the guts. Another method involves boiling them with ginger, garlic, shallots, chilli pepper, and coconut milk. The wings are removed before cooking unless they are charcoal roasted. The flesh of the grasshopper are also sometimes being made into fritters, deep fried and served with a sauce of their choice. Grasshopper legs are normally served as an appetiser.

People who has eaten grasshopper dishes before, describes it being quite crunchy with a lemon seasoning taste to it. Many people even cover them in chocolate and eat them like candy.

Apparently there are a serious book / magazine demand for preparation of various insect dishes. People even breed these insects, with the aim to sell it to restaurant owners specialising in these dishes. Banners like "Need Mealworms, Grasshoppers or Termites for Your Next Party?" are often seen all around.

There is even a very popular monthly Newsletter titled "THE FOOD INSECTS NEWSLETTER" This letter is described as "High-Calibre Journalism on Edible Insects in High Gear".
This letter is sent to 73 countries. Feedback on the topic of insect eating is very popular and readers sing their praises towards the founders and editorial staff of this news letter.

Snippets being taken and information gathered from various websites on the Internet, too many to provide all the links. Just go to Google or any other search engine and type in "Insects as snacks" and you will be surprised at the number of websites found or displayed on this subject.
valy67, claudine, jcoowanitwong, eqshannon, fiftysomething, jusninasirun, marhowie, Silvio2006, spalaxtr, fartash, joey, Alex99, jeanpaul, Adanac, rousettus, horia, Rehanna, nkasot, haraprasan, Aaltjie, smitha, dkaved, captainsgirl, sandpiper2, angybone, Luis52, goldyrs, henrique, boreocypriensis, maurydv, bahadir has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Anna,
Nice picture. I am also blind about the ID of this grasshopper. Here in Thailand, people also eat fried grasshoppers, but not me :). TFS
JC

Hi Anna
Not my favourite insect, but a very good photo!! I must say, it does'nt tickle my tastebuds!! Have a good day!

Good clear photo but not something that I fancy eating. Enjoyed your notes.

Hello Miss Piggy,

I am sorry that I can't help you with the ID but you have very interesting menu written in your notes. I have seen on cables about Bizzare Foods and insets are in theier menu too.

This is a very well perched hopper captured in brilliant details. Good lighting and away from too much business and yet maintaining the natural surroundings here. The details are very well written in this post and I'm sure someone will ID this pretty soon.

Regards,
Jusni

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1179 W: 0 N: 4496] (13404)
  • [2008-02-01 1:37]

Hi Anna

Not good on insect IDs - just good at running away ;)

Nice image, good pose and colours.

As for eating them - yuk (though I expect it isn't much different from prawns which I love). I was in Oaxaca (Mexico) and ordered some guamacole - when it came it was surrounded with hundreds of dry-roasted crickets!!!! (& no - I didn't try them).

James

Ummmm..well as a young teen back in the early 60's I remember Reese Corp sold something like canned grasshoppers or perhaps it was chocolate covered...I forget..but...in any case I have a very soft palate and with my mind working against me, and by the looks of your entre' called an image:-), I would still beg off...I read very closely but did not see where you say if you have ever tried it? Please do..it would so much not encourage me, but give me delight to say I knew someone: who partook-)
Bob

Hi Anna,
Good POV, DOF, and clear details, It's an interesting composition with the hopper sitting on this seed pod or egg sac thing??(another ID issue) :)
The shorter wings and humped-back might help with ID, but there are a gazillion of these hopper species..And the next time you're cooking up some hoppers for dinner, 86 my invite OK ;}}
Well done & have a Great Weekend!
Howard

Hi Anna,
Your notes are much interesting. I have seen many documentaries about different food culture and it could be surprising to see what other cultures can eat... This is a good composition and the insect is on some strange plant! I think that the image is a little over exposed as some parts of the grasshopper seem burned. This is a nice and interesting post though with well documented notes. Thanks,
Claudine

Interesante documento con un buen encuadre, aunque el enfoque es muy justo. Intente repetir y publicar ya que creo que la toma vale la pena.
Gracias por sus amables comentarios y buen fin de semana para Usted también: J. Ignasi

Hi Anna,
I read all your very usefull notes. It is usefull that meny people eat insects. Because the main compepitor of human for food in isect indeed. Shortly eat them before they eat your foods. However we do not eat any kind of insect in Turkey. That is why the fact that some people eat insect is not an atractive menu for me. TFS this photo and informative knowledge,
Have a good weekend,
Mustafa

Hello Anna
Very nice shot of this beautiful Grasshopper,
Perfect details,exposure and BG,Welldone :O)

Regards
Fartash

Hello Anna,
Sorry can not help you with the ID, but I sure know this is a good size posting to enjoy such closeness of a Grasshopper!
very good sharpness, vivid colour and details captured by your H9
thanks again for the wonderful notes
TFS
greeting from NZ
tony

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  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1554 W: 233 N: 5217] (18329)
  • [2008-02-01 9:18]

I've searched for hours on the net and have come to the conclusion that this is a Grasshopper of some kind! :-D
No I'm not sure I'd eat this... I wouldn't even eat a Prawn!
Very nice photo anyhow.
Excellent composition and a good parallel POV.
What is that it is perched on btw?
Great DOF and BG.
Lacks a bit of detail and sharpness yet the photo is still very pleasing :)
Well done Anna!
You are a staple member already!

Cheers,
Joe

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2974 W: 148 N: 4396] (14263)
  • [2008-02-02 0:59]

Hi Anna.
You have pictured a very nice specimen of the grasshopper at attractive surroundings. Sharpness and details of the scene, DOF are excellent. I like also the framing and composition of the shot. It seems to me the flash light is strong a bit and has deformed the natural colours. In any case a very nice sloe-up picture and, as usual, for you and for Loot terrific note. Bravo and best wishes.
Alexei.

Hi Anna, sorry I don't know id of this beautiful Grasshopper with splendid colors, good details and great sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Bonjour AnnaElle est très belle cette macro,la mise au point est bonne et les couleurs bien vives,joli!
Merci et au revoir...JP

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  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1031 W: 1 N: 3945] (13270)
  • [2008-02-02 12:15]

Hello Anna,
I have tried chocolate covered grasshoppers and found them very palatable. Your image is well done with great colors and details in very strong lighting. Anna could you tell me what it is perched on as I am curious.
Rick

Hi Anna,
you dont post shots much frequently , but all of them great capture like that of African grasshopper. Like POV/DOF and composition; lighting, focus also great. good notes. thanks for sharing. best wishes
Ahmet

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  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2035 W: 212 N: 3613] (12038)
  • [2008-02-03 1:31]

Hi Anna

I know how difficult it can be to put up a note when you don't know the name of the animal from your photo...but i do believe your method is very nice :)

This is a superbly colored grasshopper and definitely a very photogenic one!
The place where you found it is also very interesting and not one where i would have expected one to be :)) Yet, i think this actually adds to the interest of your shot.
The exposure is well managed, the focus on the grasshopper is good and the side POV gives an excellent angle for your subject.
Perhaps the sharpness isn't absolutely the ultimate best, but in this matter i'm wondering: did you used the Macro or the Supermacro of your camera?
Anyway, it's a nice shot and a lovely post.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hello Anna

Jammer vrou, maar van sprinkane kan ek jou niks vertel nie, behalwe dat Johannes die Doper glo die goed geët het in die woestyn. Ek het egter jou notas terdeë geniet, hoe grillerig dit ook al was. Bid jou did aan, maar onse eie boesmans is natuurlik ook voor in die koor met hierdie soort van gebruike. Eintlik dink ek hulle het waarskynlik selfs meer grillerige goeters geët, maar kom ons los dit maar daarby.

Groete
Rehanna

Hello Anna
Nice capture. Thanks.
Nazim

Hi Anna,
I think this is a differential grasshopper but don't know the exact ID. But for sure when they will swarm in group it would not be a pleasant view for the farmers. Excellent composition and details in this one. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1071 W: 59 N: 2186] (7259)
  • [2008-02-05 12:50]

Hello Anna,
Beautiful photo of this Grasshopper in full sunshine. Excellent sharpness with a good DOF and POV.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 505 W: 8 N: 1048] (3884)
  • [2008-02-05 22:29]

Hello Anna,
Very nice capture of this Grasshopper
Beautiful colors.. Well done

Everton

Dear Anna
(Miss Piggy, the Sergeant Major, Shorty and all the other nicknames you have.)

Hope you are well. Looking at your photo of the unidentified grasshopper it took me back to my childhood and in particular in the time I was still a scholar. Now call me a sissy, but I just could not and still does not like grasshoppers. I remember so well when we had Biology lessons and we had to go and catch grasshoppers for experiences. That was really a torture to me. I would normally make a duck, because just the thought of touching these jumping insects was terrifying. I was really scared of these insects. Yes I admit I was horrified. Even later I came out with the excuse I was allergic to them and I would feel the tears behind my eyes out of fright for these nu-nu’s. Ok, I hope you are happy that I confessed, and you were not afraid because you came so close by to photograph it. But I really could not stand them. So the smiley you get from me, is for the story. Not for the grasshopper. I would never have survived being Dennis the Menace’s friend. Poor Mr Wilson, I think I know what he went through just looking or being in the same room as Dennis and all his insect friends.

Warmest regards
Aaltjie

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  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1285 W: 104 N: 4529] (20195)
  • [2008-02-06 8:28]

Hello Anna, very good macro of this fine hopper. Good details, very good exposure and fine composition, well done, thanks!

Mario

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  • smitha Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 282 W: 77 N: 901] (3417)
  • [2008-02-06 22:53]

Daer Anna,
what a beautiful shot and even more what a great notes.
First i will write about the picture. I liked the shot of the grasshopper resting on the fruit.Nice POV, composition, details and colors. Nice blurred background too. Now about the notes, it is fantastic. Though i have heard that insects are eaten by people of Japan and Indonesia I never knew it was consumed by so many people. Better be careful when u choose food in those part of the world, right?:) And you have done a good job in giving us a detailed description on this subject. Thanks Anna for taking the effort to prepar such a n informative note and also for a beautiful picture.
Regards,
Smitha.

Hi Anna,
What ever its name is it sure is a wopper!Its colour has come out beautifully in the bright light and I like the detail of its rough skin.That is one hell of a note you wrote there.....enjoyed every minute of it.Nice to see you.
Regards, David

Hi Anna,
Well I can tell you one thing I could never make it on that show survior since I don't think I could stomach eating a bug of any kind. Very interesting notes indeed though Great POV on this grasshopper and great color. TFS
Donna:o)

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5649 W: 595 N: 3347] (8903)
  • [2008-02-09 2:14]
  • [3]

Hi Anna

You better not start getting any ideas with this. You are forever experimenting with new recipes for your Recipe Books and I normally end up being the "crash test dummy", but I refuse to be a willing guinea pig with any of these items on the menu. Am I coming through loud and clear? (Please?)

I rather fancy this unknown (almost lime-green) grasshopper perched on the weird looking seed pod of some other insect. The harsh mid-morning Zululand sun gave you a tough time to control the exposure levels for this shot, but under the circumstances you actually did quite well. Slight spots of OE are visible (basically only on the right hand middle and rear legs) however most of the details are quite sharp and well filled in. The colours came out splendid and so did the rather busy BG. Fortunately the narrowish DOF managed to blur out most of the features of the tree and its leaves.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. Excellent zoological name you invented "Anonymousa meadowjumperostrus" (Anonymousa = unknown, meadow = grass, & jumperostrus = hopper i.e. "Unknown grasshopper"). Even the scientists could almost believe this to be true.

Hello Anna,
Good crisp photo of this grasshopper. Nice to get an opportunity to see it up close.
Peter

Hello Anna !
I have missed several pictures during my absence, I see, and this one is my favourite of them. The grasshopper is beautiful, and I also like his pose. Excellent composition and POV, natural colors, beautiful green BG, and I really liked reading your note - funny to think that some people can actually eat grasshoppers, I couldn't, but after all we are eating snails in France and that's not really better, isnt't it ? :-) Anyways, very well done !
Valerie.

Hi Anna

Its clear from your excellent note that Loot has found the perfect partner in life; a curious mind is healthy mind.
The shot isn't really my cup of tea, I prefer coffee :)lol. Anyway its the note that is great here, but it is a nice hopper on top of what looks like a wasp nest. Hope to see more of your work soon.

Thanks for your excellent critiques too.

best wishes
Chris

The only bugs I've ever eaten have been by accident. ha ha

Interesting shot - like the setting here. Good and clear and well-defined. :)

I'm trying to stay active on this site. I haven't been motivated to get out and photograph lately. Winter tends to lower my level of energy a few notches and I miss the colors of summer and spring. :) But that's ok...I can enjoy the work of other photographers during my quiet time.

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1013 W: 5 N: 2750] (9982)
  • [2008-02-27 18:53]

Hi Ana.
You sure have here a very nice Grasshopper. I had never seen one in this colors. Great pose and sharpness.
Saludos My friend
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-03-11 8:53]

Hello Anna

Very warm lighting and colours.
The POV is well done with very good DOF.
Lovely focus and good sharpness.
TFS


Rob

Hi Anna,
I was looking at some of your older shots and found this...
I love the sharpness & colours of this one!
Cheers!
Goldy

Olá Anna.

Tenho notado uma grande diversidade na espécie de grilos e gafanhotos, em cada região existe muitas cores e formas. Este por exemplo nos mostra uma cor bem vibrante e bela !
Sua foto está excelente. Parabéns

Henrique

Hi Anna, a wonderful capture of this weird and beautiful grasshoper in a beautiful natural posture. I also hear that somebodies eats these anımals but we used them for a good food for our lizard and geckos in captivity:). TFS this Anna.
Kind regards,

Bayram

Bella ed interessante macro di questa particolare cavalletta, eccellenti POV e composizione con una tempestiva cattura, buona la nitidezza, IMHO i colori dell'insetto risentono di una leggera sovraesposizione, comunque un ottimo lavoro. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hello Anna, thanks for your kind words on us and our supervisor firsly. And your shot of this grasshoper is perfect in all aspects.
Regards,
Bahadır

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