Black stink bugs, which are harmful to crops, have now become a valuable commodity for many traders, who are willing to pay up to 8 million VND per kilogram for dried specimens. Mr. Manh, a trader in Lao Cai, shared that live black stink bugs are priced at 1-2 million VND per kilogram, while dried ones can fetch between 5-8 million VND. According to him, Chinese traders purchase this type of insect to make medicine.
In recent months, traders from various regions in Vietnam, such as Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa, have been actively seeking out black stink bugs for sale. These traders specify that the insects are being purchased for medicinal purposes and not for food processing, promising high prices as long as there is a supply of the bugs. The scarcity of black stink bugs has driven up their prices significantly in the market.
Aside from black stink bugs, traders have also been buying other insects like scarab beetles, three-lined worms, and cicada carcasses. However, black stink bugs command the highest prices due to their limited availability. Prof. Dr. Bui Cong Hien from the Vietnam Entomological Association highlighted that while there are numerous insect species consumed in China and Southeast Asia, there is no research supporting the use of black stink bugs as food.
Stink bugs are known to be destructive to agriculture as they feed on plant sap and fruits. Despite their harmful impact, they play a role in the ecosystem’s food chain, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity conservation. Prof. Dr. Hien cautioned against using black stink bugs for consumption without proper research, as spontaneous insect exploitation can lead to various consequences. He urged authorities to investigate the environmental impact of collecting black stink bugs and provide appropriate guidance to mitigate biodiversity loss.