Axayacatl (insect)

This is a reproduction of the Aztec glyph for the axayacatl as seen in Book 11 of the Florentine Codex^[1]

Axayacatl [ɑʃɑˈjɑkɑt͡ɬ] or āxaxayacatl [ɑːʃɑʃɑˈjɑkɑt͡ɬ] are the two common names of pre-Hispanic origin used in Mexico to refer to species of aquatic insects in the family Corixidae, the eggs of which, deposited abundantly on rushes (grass-like plants in the Juncaceae family) and flags (species of Iris plant) in lakes and ponds, are collected and sold as a sort of caviar.^[1] In addition to eating the insect, the Aztecs also ate the eggs ahuauhtli [aˈwawt͡ɬi] as part of Aztec cuisine.^[1]

Notes

1 2 3 McDavitt, M. (n.d.). The astonishing axacayatl. Mexicalore. Retrieved September 10, 2012, from link

References

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rines, George Edwin, ed. (1920). "Axayacat". Encyclopedia Americana.

External links

Julieta Ramos-Elorduy, “Threatened edible insects in Hidalgo, Mexico and some measures to preserve them.” Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 4 December 2006.

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