Tradition: Greenlandic Mythology
Alternative Names: Giant Maggot
Category: Insect
The Myth
Quvdlugiarsuaq is a gigantic maggot from the folklore of Greenland, particularly tales associated with Aasiaat. It is so enormous that its body can provide enough blubber to sustain an entire dwelling through a long winter.
In the legend of Aqigsiaq, a dwelling place survives an entire winter on the blubber of a single Quvdlugiarsuaq. The story conveys the extraordinary size of this creature, which is far larger than an ordinary maggot.
Another creature from Greenlandic tradition, the Auseq, is described as a gigantic caterpillar. Unlike the account of Quvdlugiarsuaq, which emphasizes its immense size and the quantity of blubber it provides, the Auseq is specifically said to be dangerous to humans.
Sources
“Quvdlugiarsuaq.” A Book of Creatures, July 8, 2019. https://abookofcreatures.com/2019/07/08/quvdlugiarsuaq/