In my hometown Piddig, Ilocos Norte we call this insects "ara - rawan." Ara - rawan is edible.
Their inhabitat agricultural fields, lawns and any wet grounds. Farmers commonly considered them as pests. However, Ilocanos (Ilocos dialect) used them as food and it's regularly served.
Ara - rawan burrows in the soil to look for food. This insects are omnivores feeding in larvae, worms, roots and grasses.
Ara - rawan can harvest rainy season or during their hibernation and after harvesting crops. Ilocanos way of harvesting ara - rawan is they need to hop on the wet ground barefooted. They need to hop multiple or several times to create vibrations. Because this type of species are very sensitive to vibrations, once it felt distracted or disturbed they goes from their hibernation.
Ara - rawan can be cooked adobo (Pilipino's native dish) and kirog (fried). It can served to anyone. Ara -rawan has 24% protein, 200 calories per grams, approximately 900 calories per pound. In some studies show up to 1,200 calories per pound, 7 - 9% fat comparing to steak at 250 calories per 100 grams. Crickets have amino acid and required in the human diet. They are low in carbohydrates.
In Piddig Market they sell this species per piece not by kilograms. It's quite expensive because it's tough to harvest. I myself have been tried or experienced to harvest ara - rawan and it's really hard. But the taste is really good.
Unfortunately, in some places ara - rawan numbers were declining due to soil erosion and habitat destruction.
