Table 2.
Note that the taxonomic positions and names of some of the insects mentioned in this table are likely to have changed since the original publication in 1943 by Umemura, on which this table and a similar one in German by Schimitschek (1968) are based. However, in order to avoid ambiguity and confusion, it was felt it was best for this translated version to retain the nomenclature used in the Japanese original. Note also that precise descriptions of the various ways that treatments are administered are not given in this translation. Left out are species included by Umemura (1943) to be used only as generally wholesome food items, e.g., pupae of Psilogramma increta and larvae of Dendrolimus spectabilis, Chilo simplex, Schoenobius incertellus and Zeuzera pyrina (Lepidoptera), larvae of Vespa japonica and larvae and pupae of 5 species of Polistes (Hymenoptera), larvae of Prionus insularis (Coleoptera), adults of Loxoblemus orientalis, L. doenitzi and Gryllodes bethellus (Orthoptera), Cloeon dipterum (Ephemeroptera) and adults of various species of cicadas (Hemiptera). That numerous additional species of insects historically found acceptance as traditional food in Japan is apparent from the list given by Mitsuhashi (2008) in his book on edible insects of the world
| Classification | Treatment | Additional information |
|---|---|---|
| Lepidoptera (Bombycidae) | ||
| Bombyx mori | Larvae employed in stopping bleedings, throat troubles, fever and snake bite; Pupae used in connection with throat problems, tuberculosis, kidney problems; Adults to stop bleedings and counter snake bite. |
Faeces used in connection with bellyache, intestines, lumbago, cramps, eye infections, gonorrhoea, brain haemorrhage, haemorrhoids |
| Antheraea yamamai | Larvae used in connection with asthma and cramps; Pupae for throat and skin troubles, lumps and cramps; |
Cocoon used in connection with bone fractures |
| Antheraea pernyi | Pupae to reduce tumour growths & lumps | Cocoon to treat bone fractures and cramps |
| Dictyoploca japonica | Eggs used in treating skin problems | |
| Rhodinia fugax | Cocoon for tumour & lump reduction | Whooping cough |
| Lepidoptera (Sphingidae) | ||
| Theretra oldenlandiae | Larvae all considered effective in treatments of TB, stomach upsets, umps, tumours and fever as well as snake bites | |
| Theretra nessus | ||
| Acherontia styx | ||
| Pergesa elpenor lewisi | ||
| Macroglossa stellatarum | ||
| Herse convolvuli | ||
| Psilogramma increta | ||
| Lepidoptera (Brahmaeidae) | ||
| Brahmaea japonica | Larvae used in connection with cramps, respiratory and stomach troubles | Larvae can mitigate anaemia |
| Lepidoptera (Cochlidionidae) | ||
| Cnidocampa flavescens | Larvae help against cramps; Pupae and adults considered to have positive effect on vision | |
| Lepidoptera (Hepialidae) | ||
| Phassus excrescens | Larvae used for lung and stomach troubles and snake bite | |
| Lepidoptera (Psychidae) | ||
| Cryptothelea minuscula | Larvae used for toothache and larvae as well as adults for respiratory problems | Also used in connection with anaemia |
| Lepidoptera (Aegeriidae) | ||
| Paranthrene regalis | Larvae used for stomach upsets, cramps and gynaecological issues | Used in cases of diphtheria |
| Lepidoptera (Cossidae) | ||
| Holocerus vicarius | Used in fighting fever and cramps | |
| Lepidoptera (Papilionidae) | ||
| Papilio xuthus | Larvae and adults all used in connection with skin disorders; adults moreover in treatments of lumps and tumours | |
| Papilio machaon | ||
| Papilio protenor demetrius | ||
| Papilio macilentus | ||
| Papilio alcinous | ||
| Graphium sarpedon nipponus | ||
| Hymenoptera (Apidae) | ||
| Apis indica japonica | Honey used in connection with skin, respiratory, urinary and intestinal disorders, snake bite and rabies; Wax used also in connection with skin and digestive problems and snake bite: Larvae & adults in connection with rheumatism |
Honey given in cases of influenza, the common cold and whooping cough; wax for freckles and constipation |
| Hymenoptera (Xylocopidae) | ||
| Xylocopa apendiculata circumvolans | Larvae used in connection with fever and respiratory/lung ailments | Considered also effective in cases of haemorrhoids |
| Hymenoptera (Vespidae) | ||
| Vespa auraria | Larvae used in connection with skin diseases, fever and respiratory problems; Pupae used in connection with whooping cough Nest material for ear, eye and dental problems, skin disorders and cramps |
Larval treatment in cases of haemorrhoids |
| Vespa mandarina | ||
| Nest material considered effective in venereal disease and haemorrhoids | ||
| Hymenoptera (Braconidae) | ||
| Euurobracon penerator | Larvae used in cases of cramp | |
| Coleoptera (Cerambycidae) | ||
| Apriona rugicollis | Larvae used in connection with lung problems, cramps and palsy | |
| Batocera lineolata | Larvae used to mitigate cramps | Used in cancer therapy and diphtheria |
| Chloridolum thaliodes | Larvae involved in treating smallpox | |
| Coleoptera (Meloidae) | ||
| Epicauta gorhami | Adults used in treatments of hair, skin excretory (kidney) system and rabies | Considered effective in cases of warts |
| Coleoptera (Cicindelidae) | ||
| Cicindela chinensis | Adults used in connection with skin, tumours and gynaecological problems | |
| Coleoptera (Telephoridae) | ||
| Luciola lateralis | Adults used in connection with bleedings, hair and tumours | Considered effective in cases of whooping cough, haemorrhoids and as a tonic |
| Luciola cruciata | ||
| Coleoptera (Hydrophilidae) | ||
| Hydrous acuminatus | Larvae used in connection with skin disorders and cramps | Considered effective in cases of whooping cough |
| Hydrophilus affinis | ||
| Sternolophus rufipes | ||
| Coleoptera (Dytiscidae) | ||
| Cybister brevis | Larvae prescribed in cases of asthma, respiratory and stomach problems | |
| Cybister japonicus | ||
| Cybister trpuntatus | ||
| Rhantus pulverosus | Adults used in cases of skin disorders | |
| Coleoptera (Scarabaeidae) | ||
| Xylotrupes dichotomus | Larvae involved in treating gynaecological problems | |
| Coleoptera (Lucanicidae) | ||
| Lucanus macrifemoratus | Larvae and adults involved in treatments of gynaecological problems | |
| Psalidoremus inclinatus | ||
| Coleoptera (Gyrinidae) | ||
|
Gyrinus curtus
Gyrinus japonicus Dineutes marginatus |
Larvae and adults both used in connection with lung and stomach problems, fever and cramps | |
| Diptera (Syrphidae) | ||
| Eristalis tenax | Pupae for eye problems. tooth ache, and fever; adults inconnection with cramps | |
| Diptera (Tabanidae) | ||
| Tabanus trigonus | Adults used for eye disorders and tumours | |
| Tabanus rufidens | ||
| Tabanus chrysurus | ||
| Tabanus mandarinus | ||
| Diptera (Muscidae) | ||
| Musca domestica | Larvae used in treating snake bites and fever, gut and stomach problems and eye disorders; Adults in connection with fever, tooth ache and skin disorders |
Effective in cases of haemorrhoids |
| Muscina stabulans | ||
| Fannia canicularis | ||
| Calliphora lata | Used in connection with venereal diseases | |
| Diptera (Ortalidae) | ||
| Dryomyza formosa | Larvae used to reduce fever, in cases of snake bite, gut and stomach problems and eye disorders | |
| Diptera (Culiciidae) | ||
| Culex pipiens | Adults used to counteract venereal diseases | |
| Aedes japonicus | ||
| Aedes albopictus | ||
| Anopheles japonicus | ||
| Aphaniptera (Pulicidae) | ||
| Pulex irritans | Adults all used in connection with venereal diseases | |
| Ctenocephalus canis | ||
| Ctenocephalus felis | ||
| Anoplura (Pediculidae) | ||
| Pediculus corporis | Adults used in cases of venereal diseases | |
| Pedicuus humanus | ||
| Orthoptera (Gryllotalpidae) | ||
| Gryllotalpa africana | Adults used to reduce fever, mitigate skin and kidney troubles and fight tumour growths | Considered also useful in connection with venereal disease |
| Orthoptera (Gryllidae) | ||
| Gryllus mitratus | Larvae and adults used for fever and tumour reduction | Adults used for dysentery |
| Orthoptera (Locustidae) | ||
| Oxya velox | Adults used in cases of fever, respiratory, skin and gynaecological problems | Effective in treating cancer, haemorrhoids and anaemia |
| Oxya vicina | ||
| Mantodea | ||
| Paratenodera aridifolia | Adults used in treating fever, beriberi, tooth ache, fever, hair and respiratory problems | |
| Paratenodera angustiennis | ||
| Statilia maculata | ||
| Hierodula patellifera | ||
| Mantis religiosa | ||
| Blattaria | ||
| Blattella germanica | Adults used in connection with skin and stomach disorders | |
| Periplaneta americana | ||
| Periplaneta picea | ||
| Blatta orientalis | ||
| Odonata (Libellulidae) | ||
| Sympetrum darwinianum | Adults used in connection with throat aches, asthma, tumours and fever | Larvae considered to help against whooping cough |
| Sympetrum elatum | Adults used for asthma | |
| Sympetrum croceolum | Adults all considered effective in cases of asthma | |
| Sympetrum frequense | ||
| Orthetrum albistylum | ||
| Crocothemis servillia | Adults used for ear, eye, throat and gut problems as well as fever | Used also in connection with diphtheria and cough |
| Neuroptera (Myrmeleonidae) | ||
| Hagenomyia micans | Larvae used in connection with fever, migraine/headaches, beriberi and gonorrhoea; adults considered effective in cases of whooping cough | |
| Neuroptera (Sialidae) | ||
| Prothermes grandis | Larvae used for treating lung, stomach and gut problems | |
| Plecoptera (Perlidae) | ||
| Perla tibialis | Larvae considered effective in cases of cramps | |
| Perla tinctipennis | ||
| Hemiptera (Nepidae, Belostomatidae, Aphidiidae) | ||
| Lacotrephes japonensis | Eggs used in connection with bleedings, intestinal and uterine problems; adults in connection with cough, dysentery and haemorrhoids | |
| Ranatra chinensis | ||
| Ranatra unicolor | ||
| Kirkaldya deyrollei | ||
| Schlechtendalia chinensis | Larvae used for endocrine disorders | |
| Hemiptera (Coccidae) | ||
| Ericerus pe-la | Wax used to stop bleedings and in connection with lung and stomach problems | Considered effective against warts |
| Hemiptera (Cicadidae) | ||
| Terpnosia vacua | Larvae used in cases of anaemia; Exuviae for ear problems, tooth ache and fever as well as kidney problems and tumours |
Exuviae also considered effective in cases of smallpox, coughs and haemorrhoids |
| Platypeura kaempferi | ||
| Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata | ||
| Cryptotympana japonensis | ||
| Tanna japonensis | ||
| Oncotympana maculaticollis | ||
| Meimuna opalifera | ||
| Thysanura | ||
| Lepisma villosum | Adults used in cases of eye disease and kidney dysfunction | Adults also considered effective in cases of paralysis |