What is Salagubang?

SALAGUBANG is a Filipino word for a group of scarabs (a kind of beetle, photo at right), specifically of the subfamily Melolonthinae. In my dialect, Cebuano, it is called bakukang, which is also a collective name for the same beetles and also includes species of the subfamily Dynastinae. Of course, more varied forms from other families are called other names but salagubang is the most common.

The Philippines being mainly an agricultural country, its farmers and rural folks are very much familiar with these beetles which are considered both a boon and a bane. A bane because it has inflicted considerable damage to crops with the larvae eating on the roots and adults the leaves. A boon as they provide a rich source of protein once fried to a crisp and at the same time, provide a psychological salve as revenge for the season’s crop’s loss is exacted. And this is what prompted the people of Tuy, Batangas to mount their Salagubang Peste-Val. A rather witty play on the word peste or pest, marked by salagubang eating contest (both fried and raw – in the latter case, its the larvae), salagubang mascots, contests, contests and contests in the typical style of the convivial Filipino fiesta.

Sweet revenge!

More than that, it provided for countless children’s enjoyment, including me. Not really a sadistic ritual as adult beetles are strung and agitated to make it fly in frenzy, alas, tethered, as but a cheap alternative to the rather expensive, non-biodegradable toys that have now flooded the market. These beetles evoke a distant past. A happy one. Of days and lazy summers spent in the provinces. Of rice paddies and mango trees.

23 Comments and/or Trackbacks »

  • 26 June 2007

    dapat yata salagubang tawag ko sa yo :)

    will link your blogs later

    entomology is your hobby? someday sana meron man lang species na ipangalan sa akin

  • 27 June 2007

    Haha, tutubi, collecting beetles is my hobby but I haven’t gone collecting for years! Maybe in the coming months.

    Named after you? Hmmm, tingnan natin :-)

  • kris
    30 July 2007

    it is very helpful for a students like me

  • Geonyzl
    1 August 2007

    Hello,
    san ka nakabili ng insect pins?

  • estan - author
    1 August 2007

    Geonyzl, I ordered some of it online from Entomopraxis, a Spain based website but most were given to me by European collector/friends.

  • ryu
    4 June 2008

    ano ba ang kinakain ng mga salagubang???

  • 4 June 2008

    Ryu, salagubangs, eat leaves of trees. However, for beetles in general, sources of food is almost anything organic.

  • dicky banzon
    3 November 2008

    What’s the biggest beetle in the philippines, how big is it and where is it found?

  • estan - author
    3 November 2008

    Dicky, the largest, not always the longest though, is the Atlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas). Bulky specimens can reach 130mm in length from tip of horn to end of abdomen. It is found nationwide and are known pests of palms. Check this page for the photo.

  • Efren C. Elmaga Jr.
    1 May 2009

    Hello..im a Beetle trainer in Mindanao..i live in

    Cagayan de oro but born and raised in the province of Bukidnon…doon sa Bukidnon marami mga beetles…doon ako nanghuuli at ng train ng mga beetles…ako at aking barkada lng nag-papa away nga mga alaga nmen…pro nde nman araw2x…araw2x in-algaan ko cla..pina pa kain…

    salamat d2 sa site mo…madami akong na kuha na info…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atpqP3ZcdZc&feature=channel_page

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–HoxiDpBJo&feature=channel

    yan ang mga beetle vids ko…BTW…Xylotrupes pubescens yan ang mga alaga ko…

    BTW..namn…Chalcosoma atlas saan sa Mindanao ko to makikita??….kc hahanapin ko nato..ahaha..

    Tnx..more Power to u and God Bless…

    pS..reply lng sa email add ko..

    helix_99@yahoo.com YM

    efren_rpg@yahoo.com FS

  • Jhon
    1 May 2009

    saan ba nahahanap yung salagubang na pinakita sa commersyal sa coke

  • Jhon
    1 May 2009

    mayroong bang salagubang na nakakalason

  • estan - author
    1 May 2009

    Jhon, it’s a foreign beetle. From South America ata.

  • estan - author
    1 May 2009

    Nope. walang beetle na nakakalason.

  • estan - author
    1 May 2009

    bai, medyo interesting na imo beetle fights. Chalcosoma atlas is found in Bukidnon too pero pangitaon unless you know where to find. Grubs are usually found in decaying trees. Forested areas are better.

  • etino
    3 May 2009

    ano po ba ung tawag sa mga common salagubang na nakukuha sa mga mango trees?

  • estan - author
    3 May 2009

    etino, it’s still called “salagubang,” the brown ones that are cooked and eaten in some places in the philippines.

  • MarcRiyo
    2 July 2009

    ESTAN, may nahuli akong mga salagubang, anu bang dahon ang kinakain nila?

  • estan - author
    2 July 2009

    Marc, pwede mango, guava at marami pang iba. kung wala ka makuha or not sure, tingnan mo ang vicinity where you got these. check out the vegetation na halatang kinain ang mga dahon.

  • n d r
    17 October 2009

    ano ang tawag sa batocabeza

  • estan - author
    17 October 2009

    what do you mean? or any pictures?

  • OrlyC
    21 January 2010

    Butocabesa is tagalog term for click beetle family elateridae

  • estan - author
    21 January 2010

    Hello Orly, thanx for the info :)

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