Edible Insects
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Is there any nutritional value in eating insects? It would probably be really hard for my to choke down a bug, but maybe if I knew it had a great nutritional value, it wouldn't be so hard!
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Never had to eat one, but from what I have read, stay away from bugs that have very bright colors, obnoxious smells, or extremely bitter tastes.
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I definitly wouldn't think twice about eating an insect that had an obnoxious smell. What is it about the bright colored ones? Does it mean something specific? I guess you would also want to watch out for the ones with stingers!
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Okay, okay, so I'll think twice about it.....shoot, I'd probably just tough it out and choke it down if it was the only thing around to eat. They are pretty small afterall! 
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Bright colors in nature usually serve as a warning to predators that the potential meal is toxic
Insects are very nutritious. IIRC, crickets, grasshoppers, worms, etc. are nearly 90% protein. Rip off legs and wings if you like, or any other hard, chitinous, fibrous parts that would just be crude fiber, anyway.
Crickets, IMO, are particularly tasty and remind me a bit of black walnuts. I snag and munch them anytime, just because (and to get a rise out of whoever happens to be nearby ) I fried some in an omelet once, which wasn't great, but it was edible.
The tips on which ones to eat given previously are good. I can think of one exception to the odor rule: squash bugs smell foul, but actually taste like Green Apple Jolly Ranchers. If you're unsure on how it'll taste, just take a little nibble instead of chomping the whole thing.
For more info, Google is your friend
HowStuffWorks "How can I tell if a bug is edible?"
Crickets, IMO, are particularly tasty and remind me a bit of black walnuts. I snag and munch them anytime, just because (and to get a rise out of whoever happens to be nearby
) I fried some in an omelet once, which wasn't great, but it was edible.The tips on which ones to eat given previously are good. I can think of one exception to the odor rule: squash bugs smell foul, but actually taste like Green Apple Jolly Ranchers. If you're unsure on how it'll taste, just take a little nibble instead of chomping the whole thing.
For more info, Google is your friend
HowStuffWorks "How can I tell if a bug is edible?"
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It is amazing to see what nature tells you on it's own.
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the risk of getting sick from grasshoppers or crickets in the USA is less than in other parts of the world: gently twist off the head & pull out the digestive tract, do NOT eat that because it could have parasites/worms, roast the rest over an open flame & you can have Cajun Crickets. ^_^
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Tomato Hornworms are delicious.
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