The critters are soft, but the black mandibles can pinch you. So I hold it on its back, but the thing is quite aggressive, with its constant wriggling trying to break free. I am told they grow up into big beetles, and some macho people will just pull the head off and chomp the thing in the raw. I hope nothing dribbles down his chin.

We drive back to Kuching, more than an hour's drive away. Tired, and definitely no fried maggots for dinner tonight.