Delicious Red Tree Ant of Papua New Guinea

Yesterday I found my favorite ant....to eat....in the Markam Valley of Papua New Guinea. Widely known here as Kurakum Ants, but there are a few locals that call them Muli Ants. "Muli" basically means lemon or any citrus. The Oecophylla smaragdina AKA weaver ant, green ant, green tree ant, and orange gaster actually is a source of vitamin C and protein. Many people are surprised when I eat them (just a few) but they taste good, like a lemon.

comments (9)

Ernst

Lion

Hi Laura.
When you eat them do the ant bite your tongue? Posted 6 years ago
1. Laura Young
  
  Katipo Spider
  
  Yes they can, but their bite is not horrible. I always say you have to bite them before they bite you. They can bite but they don't sting.
  
  Off topic: When I signed up it gave me the name Laura Young (my wife), because her name was attached to the email. Can it be changed to my name?
  Matt Young Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Looking into this for you, Matt :). Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      I asked Ferdy, and he said this: click on "You" on the top right corner of the website to go to your profile. Next, again in the top right, click “settings”, which will take you to your user data. This Is where you can change your name/username,
      
      So, it’s fixable! Posted 6 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Sounds yummy <3 Posted 6 years ago
1. Ernst
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you Christine. I just started to send a message to Matt and noticed that you picked it up. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    No problem and thanks for chiming in too :) Posted 6 years ago

Laura Young

Katipo Spider

In parts of asia one of their dishes is Beef w Red Ants.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g297390-d6989028-i229925332-MAHOB_Khmer_Cuisine-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  I’ve had ant cookies and they were yummy. Personally, though, I find termites to be tastier. But, since you are an anteater:
  
  https://i.pinimg.com/originals/95/a7/1b/95a71b0473fb35e0f348456f699218b1.jpg Posted 6 years ago

The Asian Weaver Ant

"Oecophylla smaragdina" is a species of arboreal ant found in Asia and Australia. They make nests in trees made of leaves stitched together using the silk produced by their larvae.

Info 25 2

Similar species: Wasps, Bees, Sawflies And Ants

Species identified by Ferdy Christant

By Laura Young

Uploaded Aug 24, 2019. Captured Aug 24, 2019 11:14.

Explore Papua New Guinea 113 53 0

iPhone 5s
f/2.2
1/323s
ISO32
4.15mm