Producer unknown to us
Larvae “Malkuja“ or “Bahdi“
Australia, Western Australia
Prior to 1898
Glass, larve, ethyl alcohol
Dr. Emile Louis Bruno Clement (archaeologist, mining engineer) collected the larvae during his trips to Australia in the 1890s
Purchased by the museum from Clement in 1898
Au 168
Caterpillars and grubs are among the staple foods of Indigenous Australians throughout the continent. A distinction must be made between those caterpillars and grubs that will develop into butterflies and those that will eventually become longhorn beetles and wasps.
Grubs contain highly nutritious proteins, fats, and trace elements, are free of cholesterol, and are easily digestible. Several species that are even eaten raw, are therefore also particularly suitable as foods for infants and young children.
Gathering of grubs is usually a well-organized endeavor undertaken by a group of women. Each woman's equipment includes a stick for digging, sometimes a hand spade or an axe, and a container in which to collect the grubs. The grub or caterpillar to be gathered defines the search area, since each grub or caterpillar has its preferred host plant.
This specimen may be one of the oldest ”canned foods” in the world.
Archaeologist and mining engineer Dr. Emile Louis Bruno Clement gathered the larvae during his trip to Western Australia in the 1890s. He sold them to the museum in 1898.
Birgit Scheps-Bretschneider