Jatropha Leaf Miner Stomphosistis thraustica Meyrick (Gracillaridae; Lepidoptera) as medicinal insect in Chhattisgarh, India. Updated Version.

Jatropha Leaf Miner Stomphosistis thraustica Meyrick (Gracillaridae; Lepidoptera) as medicinal insect in Chhattisgarh, India. Updated Version.

Pankaj Oudhia

Introduction

Entomophagy and Entomotherapy are well known in Asia since generations. Unfortunately not much work has been done to document valuable Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about Insects. Pankaj Oudhia is documenting this knowledge since year 1990. The present note is updated version of his previously published online research document available through pankajoudhia.com.

Keywords: Entomophagy; Entomotherapy; Medicinal Insects; Ayurveda; Chhattisgarh;

Ratanjot (Jatropha curcas) is a shrub or small tree, native to tropical America and is now naturalized in many parts of India. It is under cultivation as promising petro crop in many parts also. In Chhattisgarh, Jatropha is considered as medicinal herb. The natives and traditional healers have in depth traditional medicinal knowledge about this herb. I have mentioned in previous articles that on the basis of different agro-climatic region, Jatropha Plant types can be categorized according to these regions. Besides Jatropha curcas, many other species also grow naturally in Chhattisgarh. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh use all parts of Jatropha both internally as well as externally as medicine but according to them there is a limitation in use of its leaves specially in case of internal use. The over or wrong dose results in harmful effects. Since long time, the healers were in search of herbs that can nullify the harmful effects of Jatropha leaves. The increasing infestation of Jatropha Leaf Miner Stomphosistis thraustica in Jatropha is although a bad news for the Jatropha growers but it is good news for the traditional healers utilizing the insect particularly the green coloured larva. The infestation of this insect has been observed by the researchers during 1997-1998 for the first time in Chhattisgarh Plains but the traditional healers using this insect as medicinal insect are aware of its presence since decades, in Chhattisgarh. They claim that this insect is present in almost all Jatropha regions. When this insect started attack on cultivated Jatropha the researchers paid attention on it. Like other pest, they are not thinking on its utilization aspect. They are screening the lethal insecticides and ways to dump it in crop fields for its control. During the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have noted that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains are using Jatropha Leaf Miner as medicinal insect more commonly than the healers of other regions. The larvae collected just before the pupation is considered best for the preparation of medicine. The newly borne larvae are not used. After the collection of Larvae, it is dried in shade and after drying it is converted into dry powder and kept for future use. The traditional healers use this powder internally as Galactgoggue. The powder is given internally with lukewarm water in order to increase the flow of milk in lactating women. Many healers use the decoction of powder to get more promising effects. The use of powder gives more promising results as compared to the Jatropha leaves, the healers claimed. Its use also reduces the duration of treatment. The traditional healers of Southern Chhattisgarh use the larvae in treatment of common fever. For the preparation of medicine they dry the larvae in moon light and converted it into powder. This powder is taken internally in combination with other herbs mainly Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata). According to the healers, in herbal combination, the larvae powder plays an important role. The traditional healers are in search of new uses of Jatropha Leaf Miner. I am in regular contact with these healers. You will get more details in coming articles.

[New comments added on April, 2014: Through recent surveys I have collected new information about medicinal uses of Stomphosistis collected from Jatropha. The Traditional Healers of North add it as secondary ingredient in Traditional Formulations used for treatment of kidney diseases whereas the Healers of South Chhattisgarh use it as nonary and senary ingredients in Formulations for Kidney diseases. In combination with wild flowers Stomphosistis is used in form of decoction to treat kidney pain. Many Healers claim that they add it as important ingredient in Formulations used for management of Renal Calculi specially for its prevention. I have documented information about over 65 Formulations in which it is used with Medicinal Rice Tenduphool based Formulations. When Kodomillet based Formulations are used for treatment of Obesity Stomphosistis is added as octonary ingredient. In Sida based Formulations for Liver diseases it is added as tertiary ingredient. The Healers of Odihsa are also aware of its medicinal uses but I have noted that the Formulations having it are used less frequently by them, The Healers of Jharkhand are also aware of this medicinal insect. In treatment of Mirgi i.e. Epilepsy they use Butea and Mitragyna based Formulations. In these Formulations Stomphosistis is added as fresh ingredient. In Formulations used for treatment of Vitex Toxicity it is added as key ingredient. Many Healers informed about its possible use in management of long term Datura Toxicity. For complete Formulations and dosage please visit pankajoudhia.com ]

The herb collectors of Chhattisgarh informed me that many other insect species infest the Jatropha plants and few healers are aware of the medicinal properties of these insects. I am trying my best to meet these healers and document the traditional knowledge. The infestation of Jatropha Leaf Miner is reported in many parts of India but the researchers have not focused their studies on utilization aspect of this so called problematic insect. Through this article I would like to request the researchers to come forward and start research on this important aspect after meeting with the traditional healers of their regions.


Thank you very much for reading the article.

Related References

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Oudhia, P. (1999). Studies on Allelopathy and medicinal weeds in chickpea fields. International Chickpea and Pigeonpea Newsletter (ICRISAT) 6: 29-33.

Oudhia, P. (1999) Blumea leaf beetle in Chhattisgarh Plains. Insect Environment. 5 (1): 22.

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Citation

Oudhia, Pankaj (2014). Jatropha Leaf Miner Stomphosistis thraustica Meyrick (Gracillaridae; Lepidoptera) as medicinal insect in Chhattisgarh, India. Updated Version. pankajoudhia.com