El gusano del Mezcal
Mucho se dice acerca del gusano de maguey o gusano del mezcal, el cual no es la larva del “picudo del agave” (Scyphophorus acupunctatus), que no es un coleóptero; sino una larva de lepidóptera. Lo que ocurre es que algunos comercializadores agregan la larva de picudo puesto que es más barata y constituye una plaga al cultivo.
plaga del cultivo de agave “picudo” [Agave pest Scyphophorus acupunctatu]
Existen dos gusanos de interés gastronómico provenientes del agave. Ambos son del orden de los lepidópteros. El primero llamado gusano blanco, que es una mariposa (Aegiale hesperiaris Walker), y el segundo, conocido como gusano rojo pertenecen a una palomilla (Hypopta agavis Hubner).
Gusano rojo “chinicuil” [Red worm]
Mezcal worm
Mezcal worm unlike some common beliefs is not the agave pest called picudo which is beetle bug belonging to the Coleoptera class of insects, but instead is a moth larvae that is usually know as chinicuil that belongs to the Lepidoptera class. It is used to enhance sales among tourists and it gives an additional flavor to mezcal which is unecessary if you are trying to appreciate the true characteristics of this spirit, which varies according to specie of agave, fermentation process, and overall production. Therefore, this classic image of the mezcal with a worm may pass to better life as more premium categories rise into play.
