Black stink bugs, which were once seen as a nuisance to farmers, have now become a valuable commodity for many traders. These insects are highly sought after by traders from various regions in Vietnam, including Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Thanh Hoa. Traders purchase the live specimens for around 1-2 million VND per kilogram but dried ones can fetch between 5-8 million VND each.
According to Mr. Manh, a trader in Lao Cai, Chinese traders are the primary buyers of black stink bugs. They use them to make medicine and pay high prices for them. However, it is important to note that the scarcity of black stink bugs has driven up their prices significantly in the market.
Aside from black stink bugs, other insects like scarab beetles, three-lined worms, and cicada carcasses are also being bought by traders. 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 on crops, they play an important role in the ecosystem’s food chain and emphasize 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.
In conclusion, while once considered pests by farmers, black stink bugs have now become valuable commodities for many traders due to their limited availability and high demand from Chinese medicine makers.
