A mezcal worm is an insect larva found in some types of mezcal produced in Oaxaca, Mexico. The larva is usually either a ''gusano rojo'' ("red worm") or a ''chinicuil'' ("

maguey worm Maguey worms ( es, gusano del maguey, ; ), are one of two species of edible caterpillars that infest maguey (''Agave americana'') and '' Agave tequilana'' plants. White maguey worm The white maguey worms, known as ''meocuiles'', are caterpillar ...

"), the

caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder Sym ...

of the '' Comadia redtenbacheri'' moth. The red worm is typically considered tastier. On a bachelorette party in Mexico, the historical tradition is for the maid of honor to eat the worm. This is known as representational symbolism, in which the future bride passes the torch to her closest loved one - akin to a throwing of the bouquet.

History

Although the custom is relatively recent, larvae are used frequently by several brands of mezcal to give flavor to the drink. A whole larva is deposited in the bottle, normally after having previously been cured in pure alcohol. Nacional Vinicola (NAVISA) was the first company to add a worm to its Gusano Rojo mezcal. Andres Paniagua and Jacobo Lozano, creators of Gusano Rojo and Dos Gusanos, first introduced the practice of adding larva to mezcal. Today, several brands are doing this including Patron.

Other kinds of worms

The other variety of "worm" in mezcal is the larva of a

weevil Weevils are beetles belonging to the Taxonomic rank, superfamily Curculionoidea, known for their elongated snouts. They are usually small, less than in length, and Herbivore, herbivorous. Approximately 97,000 species of weevils are known. They b ...

known as ''picudo del agave'', ''

Scyphophorus acupunctatus ''Scyphophorus acupunctatus'', the sisal weevil or agave weevil, is a species of polyphaga beetle Beetles are insects that form the order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Endopterygota. Their front pair of wings are hardened into win ...

'', the agave snout weevil, that infests certain species of yucca and maguey. They are not related to edible

s (which are, in reality, a species each of moth or butterfly larvae) of central Mexico. The weevil is a pest that can severely damage agave plants, by eating the plant to death from the inside. If only a few infest the plant, they can still carry and infect the plant with harmful bacteria leading to plant death. In some cases, up to 40% of a maguey harvest has been lost to weevil infestations. Infection-resistant varieties of the plant are being developed. ''Picudo'' larvae may be roasted and eaten; they are a seasonal specialty of markets in southeastern Mexico.

References

Insects of Mexico Insects as food Mexican cuisine Mexican distilled drinks Mexican alcoholic drinks Larvae Insect common names {{mexico-cuisine-stub

History

Other kinds of worms

See also

References