Bugs & Insects You Can Eat in Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa

Go out to your backyard, the pasture, the garden, or to your lake cabin and chances are this time of year there will be a buffet of bugs and insects.

Some have pretty colors, some have unique markings, some are shaped very strangely, and some are edible!

That's right if you need a snack just look down on the ground to see what's crawling around.

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Yes, some are edible. For instance, grasshoppers are packed with protein. Just remember to pull off the legs. And, the head. Find a S'more stick and roast it over an open fire.

Never thought ants would be on any menu but take a look at this recipe for chocolate-covered ants.

The South Dakota State Epidemiologist Dr. Joshua Clayton responded to some questions via email recently:

When I was in high school in Baltic, SD, my science teacher made baked earthworms for everyone to try. There was (perhaps still is) a traveling bug show that stopped in Shelbyville, IN, where I lived previously that offered attendees an opportunity to try grasshoppers. I’ve had a dessert made with cricket flour. And lastly, I’ve tried chocolate-covered ants that a friend purchased as a novelty. Nothing tasted too poorly except the earthworms, which I believe was due to the method of preparation.

I would certainly shy away from the Stink Bug in either South Dakota, Minnesota, or Iowa. Those little buggers are nasty!

One other insect to stay away from would be the dragonfly. Simply, they are one of the most important insects we have in this part of the country. Did you know they eat their body weight of flies, mosquitoes, and gnats each day?

Who's ready for ice cream?

South Dakota Foods You Must Try

Some foods are distinctly South Dakota. How many of these amazing South Dakota dishes have you tried?!

If you live in South Dakota chances are you've eaten many of the items on this food list.

But if you are visiting our state or if you just haven't gotten around to chowing down on these great eats, you need to get on it.

Some foods are distinctly South Dakotan. Here are the 9 South Dakota Foods You Must Try Before You Check Out …

Gallery Credit: Ben Davis

From Frybread to Pheasants - Here are South Dakota's Official State Things

Every state in our nation has chosen things that represent the state in one way or another to be official state things. Like a flower, or animal. South Dakota is no different.

The Mount Rushmore has a state flower. But did you know we also have a state tree and a state fish? Yes, we even have a state code.

Here is what we have so far in Wyoming. Thanks to the South Dakota Secretary of State's Office for the info:

It's a Minnesota Bucket List! 50 Things You Must Do and See in Minnesota

The land of 10,000 lakes has so many amazing places to visit and explore! Scroll through this Minnesota Bucket List of 50 places and things to do and see how many you've crossed off the list.

Gallery Credit: Jessica Williams

Source: Bugs & Insects You Can Eat in Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa

Filed Under: insects in South Dakota

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