Blister Beetle (Oblong shape, triangular head drooping, black, compound eyes, back leathery elytra, 3 brown transverse bands, brownish-black chest and abdomen, glossy, peculiar odor, detoxified)
【Naming】
【Source】
Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, Lower Grade
【Common Usage Level】
E
【Botanical Origin】
The dried insect body of the Southern Large Blister Beetle Mylabris phalerata Pall. or the Yellow-Black Small Blister Beetle Mylabris cichorii L. and other insects of the same genus in the Meloidae family.
【Characteristics】
The dried insect body is oblong. The large Blister Beetle is 10~25㎜ long and 5~10㎜ wide, with a larger body size; the small Blister Beetle is 10~15㎜ long and 5~7㎜ wide, with a smaller body size. The head is slightly triangular. Black, with a pair of large compound eyes and a pair of antennae, most of the antennae are detached. There are 3 light brown transverse bands on the leathery elytra on the back, and each elytra has two rhubarb spots. The chest and abdomen are brownish-black and shiny. The chest is protruding. There are 3 pairs of legs. The abdomen is segmented and has black villi. The odor is peculiar, and the taste is initially pungent and then bitter.
【Processing】
1. Blister Beetle 2. Stir-fried Blister Beetle
【Identification】
“Taiping Shenghui Fang”: “Blister Beetle… those with reddish-black spots are better.” “Liang Lie Jianbie” (Discrimination of Good and Bad): “Choose the large, new, and unbroken ones as the best.”
Good quality is indicated by a dry body, large size, intactness, bright color, yellow and black stripes, and no rancid oil odor; fragments and insect-bitten ones are secondary; if a foul odor is emitted, it should not be used as medicine. This product has a strong and offensive odor when fresh, but the odor gradually decreases with prolonged storage, and the taste is pungent and bitter, so it should not be tasted for a long time.
【Chapter】
Invertebrates