The Worm in the Avocado

What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple? Finding a worm in your avocado.

According to the rabbinate avocados can be considered free of insect infestation, with the caveat that extremely ripe ones should be checked. Avocados generally top the list of foods that are low in pesticides. While a variety of pests like avocado leaves, only a few bother with the fruit. And its thick skin prevents pesticides from penetrating the flesh of the avocado.

So I was surprised on Friday afternoon when my daughter let out a shriek in the middle of making avocado salad. The worm, or more accurately, caterpillar was crawling in the flesh near the peel. By the time I snapped this picture, it had crawled to the outside.

The avocado was completely green inside and not overripe. Still, you can see a tiny hole to the right and slightly below the caterpillar.

I can now add avocados to the long list of items that I’ve found bugs in, like noodles and clementines.

To check the ripeness of your avocado see: Is that Avocado Ripe Enough to Eat?

It turns out I have written so many posts on insects, I should make it into a separate category.

Bug-Free lettuce: Not Necessarily Bug-Free

Insects Keep Falling on My Head (On Sukkot, that is)

Ultimate Guide to Getting Rid of Lice

Unofficial Guide to Israeli Vermin

A Family Trait

Butterflies, Bees, Horses and Caterpillars at the Kula Forest

On CookingManager.Com:

Don’t Bite the Bugs: How to Prevent Insect Infestation