TAZAAN (CICADAS) edible bug

Tazaan is a Pashto name of cicadas, which are the insects in the order Hemiptera (true bugs). It is also called Taz and Dombo in the other part of Balochistan. In Ziarat district it is famous with the name of "Tazaan" .

It is low-fat, high-protein edible insect  After cooking it become delicious savory dish. Many people eat it with delight. 

Tazaan (Cicadas) have prominent eyes set wide apart, short antennae, and membranous front wings. Cicadas are probably best known for their buzzing and clicking noises. They have an exceptionally loud song, produced not by stridulation, but by vibrating drumlike tymbals rapidly. which can be amplified by multitudes of insects into an overpowering hum. 

These bugs live their lives underground sucking on roots and loading up on all kinds of nutrients that pass through the tree roots. These bugs are protein booster and  are extremely nutritious They give  large amounts of proteins and nutrients  cicadas offer the same amount of protein as beef.

Tazaan (Cicadas)  have been named “the shrimp of the land” due to their taste, prevalence, and appearance. The taste is reminiscent of crawfish or shrimp.

Tazaan (Cicadas) lay dormant in the ground for 13 or 17 years. It come out in late spring to early summer every year and live for a few weeks before laying their eggs and dying. 

In Ziarat Tazaan (Cicadas) emerge in large numbers in the months of May and June when there is it is less rain. Millions of Tazaan (Cicadas) after emerging are found on trees, plants, and fields. local people catch them and collect them in bulk quantity.

Tazaan (Cicadas) usually emerge from the ground during the night. Mostly people collect them early in the morning because Tazaan(Cicadas) can’t fly until their exoskeleton and wings have dried and hardened, so they will climb up higher to hide from predators. People easily collect them with hands. They are not poisonous and they very rarely ever bite.

During the period of Tazaan (Cicadas) People in form of groups go in fields and participate in collecting them. Various tasty dishes are prepared by cooking them which native people eat with passionate.