All larvae appeared ostensibly extremely comparable, with a distinct head pill and prolegs that are characteristic of lepidopteran larvae.
Some specimens were white, others were pinkish-red.
Of the 21 larvae subjected to DNA extraction, 18 yielded DNA sequences that were ideal for analysis.
A new research study released in PeerJ Life & & Environment looked to recognize the types of larva found in bottles of Mezcal. It is typically served with a piece of orange and a dusting of worm salt, which is a mixture of ground-up chili peppers, salt, and ground-up larvae of a moth types called Hypopta agavis.
Are individuals consuming larvae of the skipper butterfly Aegiale hesperiaris, or the larva of the moth Comadia redtenbacheri, the latter of which is believed to be decreasing in numbers in current years? Or is the worm the larva of a weevil, or another unknown bug species? Researchers used DNA-based recognition analysis of larvae inside 21 commercially readily available mezcals to identify their identity.
A study published in PeerJ Life & & Environment examined the species of larvae found in bottles of Mezcal, a distilled liquor made from agave. Rather all of a sudden, the study found that all the larvae were of a single moth types, C. redtenbacheri, which is one of the most frequently taken in edible bugs in Mexico.
A new research study released in PeerJ Life & & Environment looked to identify the species of larva found in bottles of Mezcal. Mezcal is a distilled liquor made from any kind of agave. It is often served with a slice of orange and a dusting of worm salt, which is a mix of ground-up chili peppers, salt, and ground-up larvae of a moth species called Hypopta agavis.
Are people consuming larvae of the skipper butterfly Aegiale hesperiaris, or the larva of the moth Comadia redtenbacheri, the latter of which is thought to be declining in numbers recently? Or is the worm the larva of a weevil, or another unidentified insect species? Researchers used DNA-based identification analysis of larvae inside 21 commercially offered mezcals to determine their identity.
Mezcal is a type of distilled liquor that is made from the agave plant, which is belonging to Mexico. It is similar to tequila but is made from a larger variety of agave plants and is normally produced using standard techniques such as underground pit ovens and stone mills.
Specimens were obtained from mezcal bottles that were bought in between 2018 and 2022.
Optimum possibility tree showing the positioning of the 18 effectively sequenced mezcal worms (in bold and red) in relationship to publicly offered COI series of Comadia redtenbacheri (Hammerschmidt) and related Cossidae species. Scale bar = number of substitutions/site. Credit: Photo by Jose I. Martinez
The results were rather unanticipated. Historically there have to do with 63 species of larvae or “worms” that are consumed in Mexico, including the Tequila giant skipper (A. hesperiaris) which, provided its name, suggests that it is consisted of in tequila and other mezcals.
The research study found that all larvae are a single moth species verifying the significance of C. redtenbacheri for the mezcal industry. Larvae of C. redtenbacheri are among the most popular edible bugs in Mexico.
Closeup image revealing a worm inside a bottle of “Lajita Reposado” mezcal. Credit: Photo by Akito Y. Kawahara
Adding larvae to Mexican drinks and foods (salts, garnishes, powders, etc) is driven by health advantages and by beliefs that these larvae include aphrodisiac residential or commercial properties (Contreras-Frias, 2013). This pattern is resulting in greater need that is applying pressure to local larval populations.
In action to the decreasing number of mezcal larvae, scientists have actually started to establish methods to cultivate these larvae in captivity.
Recommendation: “Mezcal worm in a bottle: DNA evidence recommends a single moth types” 8 March 2023, PeerJ.DOI: 10.7717/ peerj.14948.