After 17 years underground, billions of cicadas are set to swarm the US this summer. While some adventurous chefs see a rare chance to turn these bugs into gourmet snacks, most Americans are not exactly salivating. A YouGov poll shows only about one in four people would even consider trying a cicada dish, and many more say “no way.” So who are the brave souls ready to munch on these crunchy critters? Let’s dig into the surprising stats.
Billion-Bug Invasion: 17 Years in the Making
For the first time in 17 years, billions of cicadas are about to swarm across the United States. These hard-shelled insects have been biding their time underground, and now they’re emerging en masse in a rare natural spectacle. This giant bug invasion has people buzzing – it’s not every day your backyard could be crawling with critters that took nearly two decades to surface.
Chefs Are Creating Cicada Cuisine
So, what do you do when life gives you billions of bugs? If you’re a creative chef, you cook them! Across the country, some adventurous cooks are genuinely delighted at this once-in-17-years chance to turn cicadas into cuisine. They’re dreaming up all kinds of recipes and creative ways to serve these protein-packed critters – talk about a truly local harvest.
Majority of Americans Won’t Bite
Still, just because cicadas are everywhere doesn’t mean people want them on the dinner table. In fact, the majority of Americans say “no thanks” to cicada snacks. A survey found 58% of Americans are unwilling to try any cicada-based food, including a big chunk (45%) who are very strongly against the idea. The yuck factor is clearly high for most folks.
One in Four Would Crunch a Cicada
On the flip side, a courageous quarter of Americans has a more adventurous palate. Roughly one in four people (about 23%) say they’d be willing to give cicada cuisine a try. They might not be racing to blend up a cicada smoothie, but they’re at least curious enough to take a bite. For these brave eaters, the once-in-a-generation bug buffet could actually be an exciting novelty.
Men are More Willing to Munch on Cicadas Than Women
When it comes to chomping on cicadas, gender plays a big role. Across the board, men are much more open to this buggy buffet than women are. Around one-third of men (32%) say they’d sample a cicada dish or already have, versus only about one-fifth of women (19%). This trend holds true at pretty much every age – overall, men appear far more likely to take a crunchy cicada bite than women do.
Young Men Are the Most Daring Eaters
Younger men are especially eager to munch on these crunchy critters. The poll shows 42% of men aged 18–24 would try a cicada dish (or already have), and that share jumps to 48% for men aged 25–34. Essentially, almost half of young adult men are on board with eating cicadas, making them the most enthusiastic bug-eating group of all.
Young Women Remain Hesitant to Try Bugs
Young women, in contrast, aren’t nearly as eager to join the insect feast. In those same age brackets, only about 31% of women (whether 18–24 or 25–34) say they’d try cicadas or have done so. That’s a big gap compared to their male peers. Even among the more adventurous younger crowd, many women are still saying “no thanks” to bugs on the menu.
Eating Bugs Is Normal in Many Cultures
Insect delicacies might make Americans squirm, but in many cultures they’re totally normal fare. From Mexico to Thailand and beyond, people have long enjoyed insects as crunchy snacks or protein-packed meals. The idea of eating bugs is far from new – in fact, it’s estimated that millions around the world include insects in their diet. So while Americans may balk at the idea of cicada tacos, plenty of folks globally are already dining on bugs without a second thought.
Americans Are Largely Bug-Averse
For Americans, though, eating any type of bug is still a hard sell. Only about 26% of people in the US are willing to even consider an insect-based food of any kind. In other words, roughly three-quarters of the country won’t touch any creepy-crawlies at the dinner table. Our aversion to insects runs deep, beyond just cicadas.
One in 20 has eaten an Insect
Believe it or not, a small slice of Americans have already taken the insect-eating plunge. According to the poll, roughly one in twenty people (5%) in the US say they’ve tried an insect-based food at least once. These are the truly adventurous eaters who have crunched on a bug before – even if most of their friends probably haven’t.
