Hong Niang Zi (Red Maiden) (Black head, red mouth, large and protruding compound eyes, red shoulders, black-brown wings on the back)
[Name]
[Source]
Illustrated Materia Medica
[Common Usage Level]
F
[Botanical Origin]
It is the dried whole insect of the cicada family insect Hong Niang Zi (Red Maiden) Huechys sanguinea De Geer.
[Characteristics]
The dried insect body is oblong, with a narrower tail. Black head and red mouth, large and protruding compound eyes. The neck is brownish-black, and the shoulders are red. The back wings are blackish-brown, brittle and easily broken. The chest is brownish-black with 3 pairs of legs, many of which have fallen off. The abdomen is red, with 8 segments visible, and the tail is pointed. The texture is loose and light, and the inside is light yellow when cut open. It has a slightly foul odor.
Hong Niang Zi (Red Maiden) and Chuji (Ailanthus Bug) are two different families and genera of insects in modern zoology, but they are often confused in successive editions of the “Materia Medica.” However, currently, only Hong Niang Zi (Red Maiden) is used as a medicinal material, and Chuji is not used medicinally. Chuji (Lycorma delicatula White) is smaller than Hong Niang Zi (Red Maiden); the body surface and wings are covered with white wax; the head is narrow, light brown, and the compound eyes are dark brown. There are many differences.
[Identification]
The best quality is dry body, black wings, red abdomen, bright color, intact and unbroken, and fresh.
[Category]
Invertebrates