There are four varieties of locusts that are kosher per the Torah, but their identities are unclear.
The Torah states in Parshat Shemini:
“Every flying insect that uses four legs for walking shall be avoided by you. The only flying insects with four walking legs you may eat are those with knees extending above their feet, [using these longer legs] to hop on the ground. Among these you may only eat members of the red locust family, the yellow locust family, the spotted gray locust family and the white locust family. All other flying insects with four feet [for walking] must be avoided by you.”
More here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosher_locust
Interesting. Locusts and beetles, though, use six legs for walking.
Unless the Torah considers the rear legs of the grasshopper to be for hopping?
I read somewhere that carmine was not kosher, is that correct?