The termites above were referred to by some colleagues as "flying ants" so as to sound less disturbing when eating these protein-filled insects (the termites were being set out to dry during our OT workshop in Nigeria). These colleagues said they would prepare termites for consumption by crushing them up and adding them to the batter for making cookies! Yum, yum, now there's a recipe to try out on the kids!
Termites are NOT Flying Ants
The danger, however, is that flying ants do not get their real due, since there really is such a thing as flying ants (and they are not termites). We dare not confuse the two!
Differences between Termites and Flying Ants
Orkin lists some of the primary differences between the two insects:
Winged termites have a straight waist and straight antennae. Their wings are equal in size and are shed soon after they emerge from their nest, or swarm. Winged termites usually swarm in the early spring when it is warm and rainy.
Flying ants have pinched waists and bent antennae and are often mistaken for swarming termites. They have two sets of wings, one larger than the other. Depending on their species, flying ants may swarm at different times of the year.
Question of the DaySo the question naturally becomes, could we taste the difference between a termite cookie and flying ant cookie?
Now, I really want to know: did you try them, can you tell the difference?
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