By Dr. R Eugene Lamare
Introduction
Niangphlang are seasonal wild larvae found in the grassland areas of Meghalaya. They are the caterpillars of moths belonging to the Eupterotidae family. Their local name is derived from the Khasi words ‘Niang’ (meaning insect) and ‘Phlang’ (meaning grass). These larvae are edible and are considered an occasional delicacy that provides supplemental nutritional value, particularly among rural and indigenous populations of the state (Paul and Dey, 2011)
Foraging Season: Every year, from October to December or in the early winter season, Niangphlang larvae scatter across undisturbed standing grasses of meadows and in several pocket of Meghalaya’s undulating hills and valleys. These larvae are long and slender with hairy projections covering the body and they have a distinctive black colour with an intermediate white stripe along its abdomen. They are abundant in the meadows but are usually found in isolation or in small groups.
Method of Collection: When the season is right for collecting Niangphlang larvae, villagers near the hills walk into the meadows in small groups, sometimes as the whole family. This is common in areas like Smit, Rapleng, Jongsha, Umtong, Thangsning, Mawplang, Mawsynram and Sohra etc. Once in the undisturbed meadows, they choose a spot and begin collecting using the scan–spot–and–pick method. One at a time, they walk through the grass and pick up the Niangphlang by hand or with improvised handling and picking tools. This activity requires full concentration and good eyesight to spot larvae among a sea of grass culms and blades. Their distinct black colour makes them easier to spot against the mass of grass. The larvae are handpicked and collected in a bucket or a bag. This process is time-consuming and energy-intensive because of their scattered distribution and the large area that must be covered to collect a sufficient quantity.
Pre-treatment: After collecting enough Niangphlang larvae from the wild, the next crucial step is removing the larvae’s spiky hair from their bodies through physical cleaning. This is usually done by placing the collected caterpillars in a bamboo cone basket, then adding coarse sand particles to create a sand-and-larvae mixture. The commingled mixture is then repeatedly whirled until all hair attached to the larvae’s skin is scrubbed off or completely removed. Finally, the mixture is separated by immersing it in a flowing stream to the brim of the basket, where the cleaned, hairless caterpillars float on the surface and are hand-picked and transferred into a collection container. At the same time, the heavier sand settles to the bottom of the basket cone (Lyngz, 2026).
Consumption: The washed and cleaned larvae are highly valued not only for their nutritional benefits but also for their versatility in traditional cuisine. These insects are incorporated into a variety of local dishes, celebrated for their unique flavour and texture, and are considered a delicacy to the tribal communities. Scientific finding also revealed that wild edible insects like Niangphlang are a good source of minerals and provide substantial amount of proteins, minerals and carbohydrates, and are at par or marginally better than the conventional food items (Paul and Dey, 2011). During specific seasons, these edible insects become available in local markets like Smit, Mawngap, Mawsynram, Sohra etc. where they are sold fresh or prepared, attracting local residents and visitors alike. This seasonal trade provides short – term source of income for rural families, supporting their livelihoods and the local economy.
Bam Niangphlang Festival: This emerging festival in Meghalaya is named after the grass eating larvae, known locally as Niangphlang. First held in 2022, it is organized annually in October/November by the Synjuk Ki Hima Arliang Wah Umiam Mawphlang Welfare Society. The festival has been held in villages such as Sohra Rim and Umsawmat, Mawphlang (Synjuk Mawphlang Society Website, 2024). During the festival, organizers host cultural and ecotourism events that promote and celebrate a traditional Khasi delicacy while raising awareness of environmental conservation, protecting the caterpillar’s habitat, safeguarding local green spaces where these caterpillars thrive, and preventing forest fires. Alongside the Bam Niangphlang feast, the festival features traditional games such as Mawpoin, a traditional fashion show, and horse riding, reflecting the spirit of the Bam Niangphlang Festival.
(The author is from the EIACP PC-Hub State Council of Science Technology and Environment (SCSTE), Meghalaya)
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