By Kelly Morgan,Staff Writer

PARIS – Proving he’s ready for an appearance on the stomach-turning reality television show “Fear Factor,” Ron Barrett picks up the first beetle he finds on the ground, flashes a wicked grin and drops the squirming carabid into his mouth.

He curls back his lips for dramatic effect as he chews, showing off the bits of black shell that have settled in his teeth.

“No taste buds, that’s my secret weapon,” he says matter-of-factly, then laughs, his steel-blue eyes gleaming.

Barrett is not fascinated with entomology. This is more like practice. The 44-year-old already has been contacted by the “Fear Factor” casting crew and told the show is interested in having him.

He just needs to find the right female partner.

Right now, Barrett is searching for a physically fit woman over 40 who’s not prone to squeamishness. It’s not a personal ad. Barrett is not interested in romance. Instead, he hopes to find someone who wants to win “Fear Factor” as much as he does.

“Fear Factor” did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The show’s Web site states that it is looking for contestants for a “Young vs. Old” show, but does not say when it will air. There is a $50,000 prize for the show.

For Barrett, however, it’s not about the money. He contacted “Fear Factor” a few months ago for a different reason.

“I said, How come your show always has young people on there and you never let people in over 40?'” he said Tuesday, taking a break from a construction project. “Is it possible to have a show with people over 40 years old on it?” He also asked about getting Mainers on the program.

Barrett got his answer weeks later, when he was contacted by “Fear Factor” and asked to send in a tape.

He has not been told how soon his partner needs to apply, but Barrett believes they will have to fill out an application shortly. He hopes anyone who contacts him is ready for whatever stunts may come. Competing on “Fear Factor” could mean being asked to dine on live cockroaches, getting thrown in a box with live rats, or even crossing a steel beam placed high above the ground between skyscrapers – on a bicycle.

A muscular 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 176 pounds, Barrett has a build that makes him look ready for anything. He also sports several tattoos and a trim mustache, and on Tuesday was wearing cowboy boots.

He has worked as a bounty hunter since 1992, and not much surprises him. After tracking down fugitives in cities that include New York and Atlanta, rats, bugs and steel beams are not daunting.

Barrett also has been known to accept outlandish dares for no good reason. Years ago he drove a motorcycle into a fire for just $20.

“He does anything,” said friend Donna Crowninshield of Norway. “He will do anything once. If he likes it, he’ll do it again.”

Crowninshield said Barrett is the perfect contestant for “Fear Factor” and she’ll definitely watch if he makes the show. She knows better than to volunteer to be his partner. She’s not interested in testing her nerves.

Barrett confessed that there are one or two things he wouldn’t be thrilled to do.

“The only thing I don’t want to eat is eyeballs,” he said. “People see with those things.”

He has psyched himself up for almost anything, though. “Yeah, there’s some stuff on there that turns people’s stomachs, but you’ve got to show them that fear is not a factor in your life.”

To contact Barrett about competing on “Fear Factor,” people may call his cell phone at 890-7833.