Nghe An: "Flying shrimp" priced at 200,000 VND/kg is still in short supply

At night, locust hunters only need to use their hands to catch locusts because they are asleep. Photo: Dinh Thuy

Like other insects, locusts fly when it is light and there is a noise; but when it is dark, they often gather on sugarcane stems and leaves. Therefore, locust catchers only need a flashlight on their heads and a can tied to their waists to easily catch them. Locust catching time is usually from 7pm to 11pm.

According to the locals, if you are lucky, it only takes 30 minutes to catch about 1 kg of locusts; but some days it takes 3 hours to catch 1 kg.

Locusts mainly on sugarcane and grass fields. Photo: Dinh Thuy

Ms. Thin in Nam Hoa hamlet, Nghia Long commune said: "At night, you just have to be quick and have a sharp eye to pick up grasshoppers, but you have to walk a lot. Moreover, at this time, the sugarcane is as good as a person, so wading in the sugarcane field is painful. But everyone likes to catch and sell the grasshoppers for money.Hunting locusts requires concentration, no one speaks to anyone because the less noise you make, the easier it is to catch them.

Cleaned locusts cost about 200,000 VND/kg. Photo: Dinh Thuy

The locusts are cleaned and then imported.shops and pubs. According to Mr. Dung, a locust buyer in Nghia Dan: Last season, whole locusts were purchased for 80,000 - 100,000 VND/kg, after cleaning they were sold for 120,000 - 150,000 VND/kg; but this year the price of locusts has increased, cleaned to sell for 200,000 VND/kg but still not sold. This year there are fewer locusts, while customers prefer locust dishes, so the price is high but there is still a shortage.

The spoils of a night of locust hunting by the people of Nam Hoa hamlet, Nghia Long commune. Photo: Dinh Thuy

The locust season usually lasts for a month, and locust hunting helps farmers increase their income and protect their crops. Although they work hard all night, locust hunting does not affect the main work of the people here.