Could someone confirm whether MALAENG MAO (แมลงเม่า) are flying termites, or tussock moths? Both names for this insect are shown on the internet.

Thank you for your help.

My wife says แมลงเม่า are flying termites. When she was young people would hang a light over a bucket of water when the termites were on the wing. The malaeng mao would fall into the water to be collected. She says that she only ate them when she was a youngster and really doesn't care for the taste. At her village folks would but the de-winged malaeng mao in a dry wok or with just a splash of water and cook them. They would be seasoned with a bit of salt and eaten as a snack. She says they never cooked them in oil as the insects were sort of naturally oily. She also says that nobody eats the tussock moth.

Dear Pla shado,

Thank you for that information, particularly the cooking details. I think I will give it a miss for the moment though, although I read that chickens and fish love them.

Thai-language.com lists it as a tussock moth, but many other sites refer to them as flying termites. I guess 'flying termites' will suffice.

I'd check your food for a few days. Maybe I have put some ideas into your wife's head.

I have seen them eaten raw, live, That was up north in Lampang, but that was quite a long time ago.

Dear phuketsub,

Thanks for that.

It sounds like something I would prefer not to experience.

Actually, experiencing a major spawn after the first heavy rains in late May or early June is an event worth witnessing at least once in life. Up in the hills in the north where I maintain a home, the air is literally filled with millions of these insects. Trying to drive at night is like driving through a blinding snow storm. For other animals ranging from chickens to dragonflies the spawn is an opportunity for unbridled gluttony. Fortunately for us humans the major spawning event only lasts about one day until the sweeping and cleanup begins.

Dear Johpa,

That sounds frightening. Luckily it only lasts one day.

I along with my Thai friends at the Thai place I drink bloody hate them.

Here in Bkk lasts for more than one day, the shop has to turn off the lights to try and get rid off them, check out the lights as they descend on it like a plague of flying locusts.

They piss me off, hate them.

Eaten most things in my life, sorry these never appealed to me, maybe if served up as lap malaeng mao and after half a dozen Leos it may be possible.