"Gendon" An adrenaline pumping protein packed snack, again from Indonesia

termite queen recipe

Indonesian food, healthy food

On this occasion I will inspire you all about snacks that have a fairly high protein content.

In some areas of Indonesia, especially the island of Java, this food has been known for a long time, and became a snack food for previous parents who introduced it to their children when it was time to relax cleaning the backyard or when looking for firewood in the forest.

Between activities, they will usually look for a termite queen or what we call "gendon" here for additional snacks.

and become a trending food now

The biggest termite queen

Then what is "gendon" or termite queen?!

Before consuming "gendon" or termite queen, it would be better if we first find out information on where "gendon" lives, and how it looks like.

Queen of termites or commonly called gendon

Termites are social insects that divide their colony into several parts of termites or can also be called castes, with different responsibilities, the ones we most often encounter around are worker termites, and soldier termites.

The termite queen or gendon plays an important role as the main reproduction in a termite colony along with the termite king and winged termites or commonly called alates or "larons".

Termite queens can be easily distinguished from other termites based on their size and role in the termite colony. The termite queen or gendon is much larger than other termites, and is responsible for producing eggs, ensuring the growth and sustainability of a termite colony.

The termite queen is known to be the main reason for termites to attack a building.

queen of termites full of protein

What does a termite queen look like?

In the early stages of their life, the termite queen is a flying termite or moth, so the appearance of the termite queen will be very similar to that of the other termite castes in the colony. However, once they fulfill their duty of breeding and starting a new colony, the appearance of the termite queen will slowly change.

That's because of the large number of eggs produced, the belly of the termite queen begins to stretch and becomes transparent until it reaches the size of a human index finger.

In general, the color of the termite queen will resemble the color of worker termites in each particular type of termite. The queen of subterranean termites will have a bright white body, while the queen of dry wood termites is generally yellowish brown.

How big is a termite queen?

The size of a termite queen can vary depending on the number of eggs it produces. The average length of a termite queen can reach 4 - 6 inches or slightly larger than the size of a worker termite in general. The large size of the termite queen makes it unable to move freely and relies heavily on the help of worker termites.

The largest termite queen comes from the species Macrotermes natalensis, which is known to have a body length of up to 6 inches or the equivalent of 15 cm.

How long is the termite queen?

The termite queen is known to have a very long life when compared to other types of insects. Generally, termite queens of various types or species of termites can live up to 15 - 20 years. Thus the termite queen is the termite that has the longest lifespan in a colony.

However, the age of the termite queen is very dependent on the place of residence or the origin of the termite queen itself.

Termite queens who build nests in areas close to human populations will have a shorter lifespan than termite queens who build giant termite nests in the wild.

termite queen nest

How to find a termite queen?

The mystery of the termite queen and where she lives is always interesting to know. In the case of subterranean termites, the termite queen lives deep in the soil and will not move because her enormous body size does not allow it to do so. Therefore, the way to find a termite queen at home is to dig deep into the middle of the termite nest to find it.

This is the main reason why termite queens are invisible and very difficult to find, in the outside world like soldier termites and worker termites.

In each termite nest there is a living room consisting of a termite queen with her eggs and the king who lives nearby. Together the queen and the termite king raise their young until the worker termites are old enough to take over this main task. The king continues to care for the queen, and the pair can live together in the growing colony for up to 20 years.

Once the worker termites are established, they will take over the main role in maintaining the eggs and ensuring the termite queen stays alive. Worker termites clean the eggs and make sure they are free of bacteria and dirt from the soil.

They will also carry the eggs to another room for hatching, and bring food to the queen and keep her alive and producing eggs.

On the other hand, the termite queen produces a liquid substance that the worker termites will lick from it to maintain a food source.

After knowing about "gendon" or termite queens, how they form and where they live, and how to hunt them for food, now how to eat "gendon" or termite queens.

Benefits of termite queen

There is no special recipe for eating "gendon" or termite queen, we just need to know so that the "gendon" or termite queen doesn't break before we eat it.

Usually, "gendon" or termite queen is only grilled briefly on straw over low heat, no need for spices to burn it, only low heat and "gendon" only, to then be eaten as a snack.

Or you can also use recipes from sago caterpillars, because "gendon" and sago caterpillars have very similar shapes.

Efficacy of termite queen

"Gendon" or termite queen has a high enough protein source, therefore, by consuming "gendon" or termite queen it is expected to meet the body's protein needs.

Thus the alternative food article this time, hopefully it will be an inspiration for food around you, and can color your life like this beautiful and rich "warna dunia".