Witchetty grub
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The witchetty grub (also spelled witchety grub) is a term used in Australia for the large, white, wood feeding larvae of cossid moths (Cossidae), ghost moths (Hepialidae) and longicorn beetles (Cerambycidae). The term is used mainly when the larvae are being considered as food. The larvae are said to taste similar, probably because they have similar wood feeding habits. Edible either raw or barbecued, they are sought out as a high-protein food by Indigenous Australians. Most often, witchetty grub applies to large, typically 7 cm, wood-eating larva of various Australian moths, particularly the cossid moth Endoxyla leucomochla (aka Xyleutes leucomochla). It feeds on the roots of the Witchetty bush, which is named for the grubs. The grubs feature as Dreamings in many Aboriginal paintings.
These larvae may also be called Bardi grubs (also spelt Bardy grubs), especially when they are being considered as bait by freshwater fishermen. The term bardi grub appears to have originally been used for larvae of the longhorn beetle Bardistus cibarius. Although along the Murray River, fishermen more often apply the term to the hepialid moth larvae of Trictena and Abantiades. These grubs live about 60 cm below ground and feed upon the roots of River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). They may be caught by pushing a small noose down the bardy grub hole, uncovered by scraping soil away from the base of the tree.
The word witchetty comes from Adynyamathanha wityu, "hooked stick" and vartu, "grub".
