Digging up scary looking larvae, earning half a million dong per day

(Dan Tri) - During the rainy season, earthworms breed and make nests all over the alluvial plains along the river. Quang Ngai people dig earthworms to sell to restaurants and pubs for 300,000-350,000 VND/kg.

After major floods, the alluvial plains of major rivers in Quang Ngai are covered with a layer of fertile alluvium, creating favorable conditions for earthworms to thrive. This is a type of larva with high nutritional value, favored by many people and purchased by restaurants and pubs at a price of 300,000 to 350,000 VND/kg. Therefore, many people have gone to the alluvial plains to dig for earthworms to earn extra income.

From early morning, Mr. Nguyen Van Lon, a resident of Hanh Tin Tay commune, Nghia Hanh district, carried a hoe to the alluvial plain of Ve river to dig for earthworms. According to Mr. Lon, earthworms grow most strongly from September to December every year, especially after each big flood.

People dig worms on the alluvial land of Ve River (Photo: Quoc Trieu).

Ground grubs thrive in the alluvial soil of the alluvial plains, especially in peanut, corn, sweet potato and cassava fields. They thrive at a depth of 20cm under the alluvial soil and leave no trace on the ground, so people have to dig up successive layers of soil to find them.

"Use a hoe to dig gently and then turn over the alluvial layer to find the worms. You have to dig carefully or the hoe blade will damage the worms and they won't be able to be sold," Mr. Lon shared.

After catching the worms, people need to cut off the tail to remove the intestines and soak them in water to keep them clean and fresh longer. When they get home, they clean the worms and boil them before selling.

Ground grubs thrive under alluvial soil (Photo: Quoc Trieu).

Earthworms are a favorite dish of many people. Therefore, restaurants and bars often order and buy all the earthworms they dig within a day.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Quyen, another resident of Hanh Tin Tay commune, said that the rainy season is also the time when farming is idle. Therefore, many people take advantage of digging for worms to earn extra income. The alluvial soil is soft, so digging for worms is quite easy.

"The cassava fields are where there are the most worms. Each person can dig 0.5-1kg per day. Some people dig a "nest" and find more than 1kg, earning about 500,000 VND in a short time," Ms. Quyen shared.

Ground grubs reproduce very quickly. After only 2-3 days, a dug plot of land will have a new batch of grubs. Therefore, every day there are people diligently digging grubs on the alluvial land.

The worms are cleaned of their intestines and boiled before being sold to restaurants and pubs for 300,000-350,000 VND/kg (Photo: Quoc Trieu).

"This type looks disgusting but is actually very clean. The worms eat tree roots and tubers, so they are clean and nutritious. Digging up worms to sell not only brings in money but also protects plants on the alluvial land," Ms. Quyen added.

Earthworms are often grilled or fried. After cooking, earthworms have a fatty, nutty taste and an attractive aroma, making them a favorite dish of many diners.

Earthworms are earthworms - a type of larva that has a longer life cycle than other types of larvae. In the young stage (1st and 2nd instar larvae), they feed on plants and young roots. As adults, they feed on all types of roots, old and young, and even leaves.

This is the larva of some species of dung beetles that pupate and live in the soil, is white, and is about 1-5cm in size.

Earthworms are harmful to plants and are a threat to gardening. Accordingly, farmers need to kill earthworms to protect plants and the environment, especially when growing vegetables.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/lao-dong-viec-lam/dao-loai-au-trung-nhin-la-so-kiem-nua-trieu-dong-moi-ngay-20241217105931646.htm