Skip to main content

Table 1 Insect species used by the ethnic groups in Nagaland for treating various human health conditions

From: Entomotherapy: a study of medicinal insects of seven ethnic groups in Nagaland, North-East India

S.No

Scientific name

Family

Local name (TU)

Habitat

Parts used

Diseases (use mentions)

Therapeutic knowledge

FL% (category)

 

Order: Odonata

1

Crocothemis servilia servilia Drury1773

Libellulidae

Khapfü/ Sothinogo (AN, C)

Note: adults possess different names

Aquatic

Nymph

Body ache (39); cold (30); vision (25); operational wound healing (12)

1. Boiled nymphs are eaten

2. Decoction of boiled nymphs are orally administered

60.9 (7); 46.8 (3); 39.1(8); 18.7 (2)

2

Diplacodes trivialis Rambur 1842

3

Neurothemis fulvia Drury 1773

4

Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum (Burmeister 1839)

Conjunctivitis (33)

Fumes of boiled nymphs are allowed to get in the eyes (twice daily)

51.5 (8)

5

Orthetrum sabina sabina Drury 1770

6

Orthetrum triangulare (Selys 1878)

7

Pantala flavescens Fabr. 1798

8

Potamarcha congener Rambur 1842

 

Order: Orthoptera

9

Melanoplus sp.

Acrididae

Phvütyara (L)

Paddy fields

Adult

Indigestion (25)

Boiled or roasted grasshoppers are eaten for quick recovery

51.0 (1)

Diabetes (23)

Roasted grasshoppers are eaten to control blood sugar level

46.9 (12)

10

Tarbinskiellus portentosus (Lichtenstein 1796)

Gryllidae

Shungrü (L, C)

Burrowing

Adult

Headache (14); indigestion (27); loose motion (25); malaria (7)

Boiled or roasted crickets are eaten for quick recovery

21.5 (6); 41.5 (1); 38.4 (1); 10.8 (6)

11

Gryllus spp.

Gryllidae

Panto (L)

Wild

Adult

Dysentery (32)

Boiled or roasted crickets are eaten for quick recovery

50 (1)

12

Pseudophyllus titan White 1846

Tettigonidae

Satuqhu (S)

Wild

Adult

Fever (6)

Roasted katydids are orally administered to young children

31.6 (6)

13

Elimaea securigera Brunner von Wattenwyl 1878

Tettigonidae

Kozüvire (A, AN, C, K, L, S)

Paddy fields

Adult

Nutrient supplement (115)

Cooked katydids are eaten to strengthen the body

58.7 (15)

 

Order: Mantodea

14

Tenodera sinensis Saussure 1871

Mantidae

Shopile (L, S)

Wild

Adult

Warts (19)

An adult mantis is allowed to masticate on warts

52.8 (2)

15

Hierodula coarctata Saussure 1869

Mantidae

Hinube (AN)

Wild

Adult

Enuresis (8)

Roasted mantises are orally administered to young children

42.1 (9)

 

Order: Blattodea

16

Epilampra sp.?

Blaberidae

A

Aquatic

Nymph,adult

Appetizer (6), bloating (6)

Raw or roasted cockroaches are eaten

20.0 (15); 20.0 (1)

17

Macrotermes sp.

Termitidae

Holum (A, K, L, S)

Burrowing

Adult

Nutrient supplement (118)

Fried termites are eaten

62.4 (15)

 

Order: Phasmatodea

18

Carausius sp.

Lonchodidae

Hanga (S)

Wild

Adult

Calluses, warts (5)

Paste of stick insect is externally applied for quick removal

15.2 (2)

Prickling spines (5)

Adult stick insect is rubbed for removal

15.2 (2)

 

Order: Hemiptera

19

Darthula hardwickii (Gray 1832)

Aetalionidae

Muzwü (C)

Wild

Nymph

Body ache (10); jaundice (6)

Boiled nymphs are eaten

31.3 (7); 18.8 (6)

20

Lethocerus indicus (Lepeletier & Serville 1825)

Belostomatidae

Khozhü/ Khutsia (AN, C)

Aquatic

Adult

Blood purifier (12); gastritis (13)

Decoction of boiled nymphs is orally administered daily for two to three days

11.9 (11); 12.9 (1)

Dry coughs (48); diarrhoea (20); wound healing (13)

Soup of boiled bugs is orally administered for quick healing

47.5 (3); 19.8 (1); 26.7 (1)

Rheumatoid arthritis (11)

Soup of boiled bugs is orally administered once daily

10.9 (7)

Stomach ache (27)

1. Soup of boiled bugs is orally administered

2. Fumes of boiled bugs are inhaled for quick recovery

12.9 (2)

21

Notobitus meleagris Fabr. 1787

Coreidae

Azüpaza (S)

Wild

Adult

Stomach ache (25)

Roasted stink bugs are eaten for quick healing

46.3 (1)

22

Aspongopus nepalensis Westwood 1837

Dinidoridae

Tsseni (L)

Wild

Adult

Jaundice (11)

Boiled stink bugs are eaten twice daily for a week

34.4 (6)

23

Coridius singhalanus Dist. 1900

Dinidoridae

Longgea (C, L, S)

Wild

Adult

To induce lactation (6); jaundice (33); malaria (8)

Cooked stink bugs are eaten daily for a week

7.6 (4); 41.8 (6); 10.1 (6)

24

Laccotrephes ruber L. 1764

Nepidae

Segokikha (AN, C)

Aquatic

Adult

Blood purifier (12)

Decoction of boiled nymphs is orally administered daily for two to three days

21.4 (11)

Gastritis (13)

Decoction of boiled nymphs is orally administered daily for a month

23.2 (1)

Diarrhoea (18); stomach ache (9); wound healing (20)

Soup of boiled bugs is orally administered for quick healing

32.1 (1); 16.1 (1); 35.7 (2)

Rheumatoid arthritis (11)

Soup of boiled bugs is orally administered once daily

19.6 (7)

25

Udonga montana Distant 1900

Pentatomidae

Shothapü (C)

Wild

Adult

Analgaesic (28); operational wound healing (20)

Boiled stink bugs are eaten for quick healing

87.5 (5); 35.7 (2)

Coughs (22)

Roasted stink bugs are eaten for quick recovery

68.8 (3)

Diabetes (10)

Roasted stink bugs are eaten to control blood sugar level

31.3 (12)

 

Order: Neuroptera

26

Myrmeleon spp.

Myrmeleontidae

Kudushürhu (AN, C)

Sandy

Larva

Boils (5); warts (24)

Paste of antlion is externally applied to cure boils and warts

11.9 (2); 57.1 (2)

 

Order: Coleoptera

27

Cybister limbatus (Fabr. 1775)

Dytiscidae

Dzübolo (AN)

Aquatic

Adult

Diarrhoea (30)

Boiled diving beetles are eaten for quick recovery

46.9 (1)

28

Cybister tripunctatus lateralis (Fabr. 1775)

29

Hydrophilus caschmirensis Redtenbacher 1846

Hydrophilidae

Khujü (AN, C)

Aquatic

Adult

Operational wound healing (20)

Cooked water beetles are eaten for quick healing

20.0 (2)

30

Mylabris sp.

Meloidae

Chupnanutsü (A, AN, S)

Wild

Adult

Blisters (8); warts (33)

Blister beetle extract is externally applied

28.6 (2); 100 (2)

31

Batocera rubus L.1775

Cerambycidae

Loyie (ALL)

Trees

Larva

Analgaesic (79); diarrhoea (16)

Decoction of boiled larvae are orally administered

44.9 (5); 9.1 (1)

32

Batocera parryi Hope 1845

Aphrodisiac (10); malaria (12); joint pain (20); stomach ache (17); typhoid (8)

Soup of boiled larvae are orally administered

5.7 (4); 6.8 (6 ); 11.4 (7); 9.7 (1); 4.5 (6)

33

Batocera rufomaculata De Geer 1775

34

Orthosoma brunneum (Forster 1771)

Cerambycidae

Lewo (ALL)

Trees

Larva

Analgaesic (79); diarrhoea (16)

Decoction of boiled larvae are orally administered

27.4 (5); 5.6 (1)

Aphrodisiac (10); malaria (6); stomach ache (17); typhoid (8)

Soup of boiled larvae are orally administered

3.5 (4); 4.2 (6); 5.9 (1); 2.8 (6)

Asthma (10); coughs (10)

Roasted larvae are orally administered

3.5 (3); 3.5 (3)

 

Order: Hymenoptera

35

Apis cerana indica (Fabr.1798)

Apidae

Tukhrü (ALL)

Wild

Honey

Blood pressure (14); cholera (14); cold (110); common illness (163); cough (131); diarrhoea (75); hangover (8); sinusitis (11); vertigo (213)

One table spoonful of honey is mixed in a cup of warm water and orally administered for quick recovery

3.8 (11); 3.8 (6); 29.7 (3); 44.1 (15); 35.4 (3); 25.3 (1); 2.2 (15); 3.0 (3); 57.6 (15)

Honey

Mouth ulcers (57)

Raw honey is applied on affected parts

15.4 (2)

Honey

Asthma (14); cancer (4); gastritis (23)

One table spoonful of honey is mixed in a cup of warm water and orally administered once daily

3.8 (3); 1.1 (13); 6.2 (1)

Larva, pupa

Nutrient supplement (105)

Boiled/cooked larvae and pupae are eaten

28.4 (15)

Honey/bee comb

Bone fractures (19); body ache (7); facial (12); wound healing (117)

1. Raw honey is externally applied

2. Poultice of bee comb is externally applied

5.1 (7); 1.9 (7); 3.2 (2); 31.6 (2)

Honey

Conjunctivitis (22)

One or two drops of honey is applied on the eyes twice daily

5.9 (8)

Adult

Headache (8); joint pain (7)

Bee sting on target points on the body

2.2 (6); 1.9 (5)

Honey/bee comb

Pneumonia (18)

1. Honey is mixed with turmeric powder and externally applied on the chest (as per requirement)

2. Poultice of bee comb is externally applied on the chest

4.9 (3)

Honey/bee comb/wax

Stomach ache (75)

1.One table spoonful of honey is mixed in a cup of warm water is orally administered

2. Poultice of bee comb/wax is orally administered

20.3 (1)

36

Apis dorsata dorsata (Fabr. 1793)

Apidae

Khwize (AN, C, L, S)

Wild

Honey/bee comb

Appetizer (12); cold (70); coughs (91); diarrhoea (78); vertigo (91)

1. One table spoonful of honey is mixed in a cup of warm water and orally administered

2. A small piece of bee comb is eaten or dissolved in a cup of warm water and orally administered

5.7 (15); 33.3 (3); 43.3 (3); 37.1 (1); 43.3 (15)

Honey

Common illness (35)

One table spoonful of honey is mixed in a cup of warm water and orally administered for quick recovery

16.7 (15)

Adult

Oedema (6)

1. Soup of boiled adult is orally administered

2. Paste of boiled adults are externally applied on affected body parts

2.9 (15)

Larva, pupa

Heart disease (12); nutrient supplement (70)

Cooked larvae and pupae are orally administered

5.7 (11); 33.3 (15)

37

Apis laboriosa Smith 1871

Apidae

Liuniutso (C, L)

Wild

Honey/bee comb

Appetizer (12); cold (56); coughs (91); diarrhoea (38); vertigo (56)

1. One table spoonful of honey is mixed in a cup of warm water and orally administered

2. A small piece of bee comb is eaten or dissolved in a cup of warm water and orally administered

10.9 (15); 50.9 (3) 82.7 (3); 34.5 (1); 50.9 (15)

larva, pupa

Nutrient supplement (61)

Cooked larvae and pupae are orally administered

55.5 (15)

38

Apis florea Fabr. 1787

Apidae

Rhontso (C, L)

Wild

Honey/bee comb

Appetizer (12); cold (56); coughs (91); diarrhoea (38); vertigo (56)

1. One table spoonful of honey is mixed in a cup of warm water and orally administered

2. A small piece of bee comb is eaten or dissolved in a cup of warm water and orally administered

10.9 (15); 50.9 (3); 82.7 (3); 34.5 (1); 50.9 (15)

Larva, pupa

Nutrient supplement (61)

Cooked larvae and pupae are orally administered

55.5 (15)

39

Lepidotrigona arcifera Cockerell 1929

Apidae

Ruyo (ALL)

Wild

Honey

Analgaesic (32); appetizer (12); blood pressure (34); cancer (12); chest pain (18); coughs (75); gastritis (37); common illnesses (90); heart disease (12); vertigo (69)

One table spoonful of honey is mixed in a cup of warm water and orally administered

8.6 (5); 3.2 (15); 9.2 (11); 3.2 (13); 4.9 (3); 20.3 (3); 10(1); 24.3 (1); 3.2 (11); 18.6 (15)

40

Lophotrigona canifrons (Smith 1857)

Honey/nest entrance

Diarrhoea (109)

1. One table spoonful of honey is mixed in a cup of warm water and orally administered

2. A small piece of nest entrance is dissolved in a cup of warm waterand orally administered

29.5 (1)

Honey/nest entrance

Bone fracture (42); body ache (11); dog bite (16); oedema (11); joint pain (17); mouth ulcers (34); pneumonia (12); skin burns (59); snake bite (72); wound healing (177); tooth aches (11)

1. Honey is externally applied on affected body parts

2. Paste or poultice of nest entrance is externally applied

11.4 (7); 3.0 (7); 4.6 (7); 4.3 (2); 3.0 (15); 9.2 (2); 3.2 (3);15.9 (2); 19.5 (10); 47.8 (2); 3.0 (15)

Honey

Conjunctivitis (33)

One or two drops of honey is applied on the eyes twice daily

8.9 (8)

Honey/nest entrance

Easy labour (61)

1. One table spoonful of honey is mixed in a cup of warm water and orally administered

2. Small piece of nest entrance is dissolved in a cup of warm water and orally administered

3. Paste or poultice of nest entrance is externally applied on the belly

16.5 (4)

Nest entrance

Ritual (10)

A piece of nest entrance is carried along to ward off evil spirits

2.7 (14)

41

Oecophylla smaragdina Fabr. 1775

Formicidae

Tssonthen (A, L, K, S)

Trees

All

Analgaesic (8); coughs (13)

1.Cooked ants are orally administered

2. Decoction of boiled ants are orally administered for quick recovery

3.9 (5); 6.3 (3)

Adult

Malaria (21); typhoid (17)

Decoction of boiled ants are orally administered daily for a week

10.2 (6); 8.3 (6)

Adult

Oedema (9)

Adult ants are made to sting on swollen body parts

4.4 (15)

Adult

Fever (19); headache (13)

Ants are cooked with local spices (garlic and ginger) and orally administered

9.3 (6); 6.3 (6)

Adult

Sinusitis (67)

1. Fumes of ants are inhaled thrice daily

2. Boiled ants are orally administered

3. Soup of boiled ants are orally administered

32.7 (3)

42

Provespa barthelemyi (Byusson 1905)

Vespidae

Angüi (S)

Wild

Adult

Analgaesic (23)

Wasp sting on affected body parts

38.9 (7)

All

Insomnia (5)

1. Boiled wasps are orally administered

2. Soup of boiled wasps are orally administered

8.5 (15)

43

Vespa mandarinia Smith 1852

Vespidae

Nati (ALL)

Burrowing

Larva, pupa

Diabetes (10)

1. Boiled wasps are orally administered

2. Soup of boiled ants are orally administered

2.7 (12)

Larva, pupa

Nutrient supplement (334)

Raw/cooked larvae and pupae are eaten

90.2 (15)

All

Sharpens memory (7)

Boiled/cooked wasps are eaten

1.9 (15)

44

Vespa tropica tropica (L. 1758)

Vespidae

Akizu (S)

Trees

Adult

Oedema (27)

Roasted adults are consumed or externally applied on affected body parts

38.6 (15)

Larva, pupa

Nutrient supplement (49)

Raw/cooked larvae are eaten

70.0 (15)

 

Order: Lepidoptera

45

Cossus sp.

Cossidae

Loyie (ALL)

Trees

Larva

Analgaesic (62); bloating (10); nausea(11)

Boiled/cooked larvae are eaten for quick recovery

22.8 (5); 3.7 (1); 4.0 (1)

Larva

Common illnesses (19)

Boiled/cooked larvae are orally administered

7.0 (15)

Larva

Gastritis (19)

Boiled larvae are eaten daily

7.0 (1)

Larva

Joint pain (40); rheumatoid arthritis (48)

1. Boiled/cooked larvae are eaten daily

2. Paste of raw larvae are externally applied on the affected body parts

14.7 (7); 17.6 (7)

Larva

Asthma (11)

Decoction of boiled larvae is orally administered daily

4.0 (3)

Larva

Diabetes (7)

Roasted larvae are eaten to maintain blood sugar level

2.6 (12)

Larva

Cough (13); general weakness (11); stomach ache (21)

1. Decoction of boiled larvae is orally administered

2. Roasted larvae are eaten

4.8 (3); 4.0 (15); 7.7 (1)

Larva

Typhoid (5)

Decoction of boiled larvae is orally administered for a week

1.8 (6)

Larva

Blood purifier (24)

1. Boiled larvae are eaten

2. Soup of boiled larvae is orally administered

8.8 (11)

Larva

Malaria (5)

1. Boiled larvae are eaten in alternate days for a week

2. Two to three piece of raw larvae are eaten in alternate days for a week

1.8 (6)

46

Omphisa fuscidentalis Hampson 1896

Crambidae

Keselu (AN, A)

Wild

Larva

Analgaesic (29)

1. Cooked larvae are eaten

2. Decoction of boiled larvae is orally administered

36.7 (7)

47

Erionata torus Evans 1941

Hesperiidae

Niakirülo (AN, L)

Home garden

Larva

Aphrodisiac (7); snake bite (11)

1. Cooked larvae are eaten

2. Decoction of boiled larvae is orally administered

6.1 (4); 9.6 (9)

48

Malacosoma sp.

Lasiocampidae

Meshangra (L)

Trees

Larva

Analgaesic (3); joint pain (3)

1. Cooked larvae are eaten

2. Decoction of boiled larvae is orally administered

12.0 (7); 12.0 (7)

49

Samia cynthia ricini (Boisduval 1854)

Saturniidae

Eriapok (ALL)

Wild/Home garden

Larva

Analgaesic (16); blood pressure (11); diabetes (29)

1. Cooked larvae are eaten

2. Decoction of boiled larvae is orally administered

4.7 (5); 32. (11); 8.6 (12)

Larva

Nutrient supplement (164)

Cooked larvae are eaten

48.4 (15)

 

Order: Diptera

50

Tipula spp.

Tipulidae

Sonhe (AN, C, KH)

Aquatic

Larva

Analgaesic (51)

Decoction of boiled larvae is orally administered

38.9 (5)

Larva

Eyesight (5); fatigue (11)

Cooked larvae are eaten

3.8 (8); 8.4 (15)

Larva

Measles (6)

1. Cooked larvae are eaten

2. Decoction of boiled larvae is orally administered

4.6 (6)

  1. TU Tribe utilization, A-Ao AN-Angami, Al all tribes, C Chakhesang, KH Khiamnuingan, K Konyak, L Lotha, S Sumi