(Ecns) -- Villagers of Huangliangzi Forest Farm in north China's Hebei Province are making a fortune in pests after they found pupae of pine moths can be served on dinner tables.
The idea was introduced by Chi Mingfeng, head of the farm, after he met an edible pupae dealer on a business trip in 2003.
By then, pine moths were infesting the woods on the farm, affecting one tenth of the forest every year. Villagers had tried various ways to battle them but only made them pesticide-resistant.
Changes happened after the pupae business took off in Huangliangzi. The pupae were sold for 8 yuan ($1.2) per kilo. Lured by the profit, villagers were keen to collect moth pupae in the wood. Some could even earn 300 yuan a day.
By 2004, the farm had its own factory, processing 50 tons of edible pupae a year for Beijing, Shandong, Guangdong and other markets. Prices for pupae also soared to 40 yuan per kilo.
The lucrative business also comes with the scale down of pests. By 2008, pine moths were rare in the forest.
Chi says their efforts have been recognized by the State Forest Administration and will be promoted nationwide.
Studies suggest pupae is rich in protein, amino acid, Calcium, Zinc and other nutrition.
