How to Farm Edible Phyllophaga

Bugs have been an important source of edible protein around the world for many cultures. The Phyllophaga genus, most commonly known for the June Beetles that fly against your windows at night in June, is one that is eaten both as an adult and as larvae. The American Indian is said to have roasted and eaten then like popcorn. The legs and wings are removed before eating the adults.

Things You'll Need

  • Weed barrier cloth
  • Shovel
  • Cover crop seed
  • Decaying organic material
  • Adult beetles
  • 1/2" PVC piping
  • Floating row cover
  • Power edger
  • Light
  • Container with inverted funnel opening
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Instructions

  1. Seeding and Starting

    • 1
      Grubs and larvae are eaten around the world.

      Dig a trench deep enough to allow the grubs to survive if you have harsh winters. The grubs hibernate deep underground in the winter. Once the trench is finished, line with the weed cloth to prevent your crop from escaping.

    • 2
      Phyllophaga eats the roots of most grasses.

      Fill the trench with soil, mixing plenty of the decaying organic material in with it. Sow heavily with your choice of cover crop. Phyllophaga feeds heavily on corn, grass and soybean roots. Allow the cover crop six to eight weeks to establish itself before introducing the beetles.

    • 3

      Create short hoops over the trench with PVC piping and cover them with the floating row cover to prevent the beetles from escaping. Release the breeding stock into the tunnel.

    Harvesting

    • 4
      Sod rolls up easily due to the interlocking roots of the grass.

      Mow your trench to make the sod easier to handle. Cut the sod using the power edger into two foot strips. Roll the strips up and harvest the grubs you will find, leaving about two thirds to continue to grow. Common June Beetles take about three years to mature.

    • 5

      Release fresh breeding stock into the tunnel yearly for the first three to four years to replenish the grubs and create a continuous harvest after the third year when mature adults begin to appear. You can remove the tunnel at times when the adults are not in flight.

    • 6

      Set the tunnel up in mid-May of the third year to contain the emergence of mature flying Phyllophaga. Capture them using a light with a container below it, a funnel opening will prevent the beetles from climbing back out. Release enough back into the tunnel to ensure your stock is not depleted.