An insight into theethnozoology of Panch Pargana area of Jharkand, India
Bandana Kumari 1 & Sudhanshu Kumar 2
1,2 Department of Zoology and Botany,
P.P.K. College, Bundu, Ranchi, Jharkhand 835204,
India
Email:
2 sudhanshu_kumar05@hotmail.com (Corresponding author)
Date of publication (online): 26 August 2009
Date of publication (print): 26 August 2009
ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print)
Editor: L.A.K. Singh
Manuscript
details:
Ms # o1717
Received 13 February 2007
Final received 25 July 2009
Finally accepted 28 July 2009
Citation: Kumari, B. &
S. Kumar (2009). An insight into the ethnozoologyof Panch Pargana area of Jharkand, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 1(8): 441-443.
Copyright: © Bandana Kumari & Sudhanshu Kumar
2009. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 UnportedLicense. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article
in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by
providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication.
The use of insects as medicine is known from all
parts of the globe, including Africa (Joyce 1991), the U.S. (Harwood &
James 1979), and China (Chou 1990). Insects are consumed as food and medicine by some tribal communities in
India. Examples include the Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera),
which is used alone or in combination with herbs to treat many common diseases
in Chhattisgarh (Oudhia 2001). The Green Leaf Hopper (Nephotettix nigropictus) occurring in paddy fields is used as
an additive for enhancing efficiency of the drug. Dried leaves of Blumea lacera are burnt with Green Leaf Grass Hopper and
the patient is advised to inhale the fumes to reduce the intensity of asthma (Oudhia 2000).
Among the ethnic groups in this area, known for its
forests, tribals and the rich flora and fauna, Mundas are the second largest community, next to Kurmis. Others are
Paik, Pakhur and Kundu.
Their knowledge in alleviating suffering is primary,
limited to remote villages, where modern medical system is not easily available
This survey was
carried out in remote villages of Panch Pargana, i.e. Kanchi, Deori, Salgadih, Norhi, Rargaon and Ulidih in Tamar Block; Raisa, Taimara, Dasham, Madhukama, Tau and Kadamdih in Bundu Block; Baghadih, Rahe, Jamudag and Sonahatu in Sonahatu Block; Sarainghatu, Khesaribera, Ramchu and Longa in Arki Block;
and Silli in Silli Block.
Specimens of both plants and animals have been collected from ‘Vaidyas’ (village doctors) and also from village hats
(market). Twenty-four Vaidyas were interviewed during three years (2004-2006),
seven of whom were found practicing with insectanmedicines who provided required informations.
Identification
of faunal samples was done with the help of Lefroy& Howlet (1909), Jeppsonet al. (1975), Smart (1975), Zahradnik & Chavala (1989), Pathak et
al. (2003), Smart (2003), Harmer & Mellanby(2005) and Balmer (2007). Identification of host and combinant plants was done with Haines (1921-25), Ghosh (1971), Singh et al. (2001).
Insects
Mylabris pustulata Thunb.
Coleoptera (Cantharidae)
Local Name: Kutma Poka
Stage: Adult
Habitat: On
flowers of cucurbits and a pest of malvaceous plants.
Locality: Used
by Vaidyas of Baghadih and Kanchi.
Disease: Dog
bite, Hydrophobia
Method of use:
The insect is dried and preserved. Only
one dose is prescribed. The dose
comprises of one insect with paste of some fresh plants like Puru Ghas (Ageratum conyzoides L., Asteraceae)
and Chirchitti (Achyranthes aspera L., Amaranthaceae),
taken in empty stomach. It is said that
none in village Baghadih has taken any anti-rabies
injection. The medicine is in use since
generations.
Danais chrysippus Linn.
Lepidoptera (Danaidae)
Local Name: Akwan Pillu
Stage: Larvae
Habitat: On the
leaves of Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae).
Locality: Used
by Vaidyas of Taimara and Dasham.
Disease:
Epilepsy
Method of use:
The larvae are fried in mustard oil (one larva per tablespoon). The filtered oil is used as nasal drop.
Betousa stylophora Swinhoe.
Hemiptera (Aphidoidea)
Local Name: Aonla Pillu
Stage: Larvae
Habitat: Form
galls on the stem of Phyllanthus emblica L. (Euphorbiaceae)
Locality: Used
by Vaidyas of Silli.
Disease:
Epilepsy
Method of use:
The larvae are fried in mustard oil (2-3 larvae per table spoon). The filtered oil is used as nasal drop.
Sagra nigrita Oliver.
Coleoptera (Sagridae)
Local Name: SemiPillu
Stage: Larvae
Habitat: Swells
the stem of ‘Sem’ Dolichoslablab L. (Fabaceae) like galls.
Locality: Used
by Vaidyas of Longa and Silli.
Disease:
Epilepsy and Paralysis.
Method of use:
The larvae are fried in mustard oil (one larva per tablespoon). The filtered oil is used as nasal drop for
Epilepsy. For Paralysis oil massage on
affected parts is recommended.
Arachnida: Acari: (Tetranychoidae): Trombidiidae (Red Velvet Mite)
Local Name: Ruhin kira, Rani poka
Stage: Nymph
Habitat: Found
in ground during rainy season.
Locality: Used
by Vaidyas of Tamar, Salgadih
Disease: Polio,
paralysis, joint pains.
Method of
use: 2-3 insects fried in one table spoon
of oil with root of Bacchplant (Acorus calamus L., Araceae). This mixture is filtered and used for
massaging on affected parts.
Sceliphron madraspatanum (Fabricius)
Hymenoptera (Sphegidae)
Local Name: Kunkal, Kumhar poka.
Stage: Mud nest.
Habitat: Found
after rainy season.
Locality: Used
by Vaidyas of Bundu, Tau.
Disease: Migrane, dyspepsia.
Method of use:
In case of migraine paste of mud nest is applied on fore-head; for dyspepsia
and frequent thirst, the paste is applied on the navel.
Termes obesus Ramb.
Isoptera or Neuroptera (Termitidae)
Local Name: Ufani, Burdulu, dimak.
Stage: Fruiting
body of fungus (Termitomycetes) growing on mud
nest of the specified termites.
Habitat: Fungus
grown on the mud nest of termites in rainy season.
Locality: Used
by Vaidyas of Bundu, Madhukama.
Disease:
Rickets, anaemia in children; paediatricmalnutrition.
Method of use:
Soup of this mushroom-like-fungus is given regularly to strengthen the immune
system. The fungus is dried and kept for
odd seasons.
Oecophylla smaragdina F.
Hymenoptera (Formicidae)
Local Name: Kurkut, Hawoo, Be-boot.
Stage: Larvae,
pupae and adult
Habitat: Nest
found on trees &shrubs
Locality: Used
by Vaidyas of Baghadih,
Longa, Norhi village.
Disease: Gout
and joint pain, to recover from weakness after prolonged fever from diseases
like typhoid, gastritis and bronchitis.
Method of use: For
Gout and joint pain, entire nest is fried in the Karanj(Pongamia pinnata)
oil which is used for massage. To
overcome the weakness of prolonged illness, eggs, larvae and pupae are fried
with onion and consumed regularly. Live
ants are mashed with salt, red chillies and mustard
oil and eaten with Botha bhat (stale rice) to prevent
gastritis.
Gyrinus natator
Coleoptera (Gyrinidae)
Local Name: Pani Ghurani
Stage: Adult
Habitat: Nest
found on trees and shrubs
Locality: Used
by Vaidyas of Sillivillage.
Disease:
Epilepsy
Method of use: A
live insect is put within dough and given to the patient for swallowing in
empty stomach for five days.
Discussion
Hembrom (1994)
contributed to ethnozoological reporting with
identification of local names. The
larvae feeding on ‘Aak’ (Calotropis procera) is used in treatment of epilepsy in Panch Pargana areas of Jharkhand
(Sudhansu & Bandana 2003). The acrid oil exuded from openings in the
apices of the femora in Mylabris pustulata (Lefroy & Howlet 1909), commercially very useful. Oudhia (1999) has
reported from Chhattisgarh about the Red Velvet Mite (Trombidium grandissimum)
which is used in combination with different herbs for the treatment of about 10
diseases like Malaria, Paralysis etc. Ant is a major combinant component of a herbal medicine used for hepatitis B (Chen & Akre 1994). In the
present study red ants (Oecophylla smaragdina F.) are found to be used for
bronchitis.
Balmer,
E. (2007). A
Concise Guide to Butterflies and Moths. ParagonBooksLtd. 4 Queen Street, Bath, New York.
Ghosh, T.K. (1971). Studies on Flora of Ranchi District. PhD.
Thesis, Vols I-II.RanchiUniversity, Ranchi.
Haines, H.H.
(1921-25). The Botany of Bihar and Orissa, VolI-IV. Botanical
Survey of India, Calcutta.
Harmer, S.F.
& Mellanby (2005). Fresh
Water Biology. Asiatic Publishing
House, Delhi 110092, India
Hembrom, P.P. (1994). Adiwasi Aushadh, part I-VIII. Paharia Seva Samiti, Pakur,
Jharkhand.
Jeppson, L.R, H.H. Keifer & E.W. Baker (1975). Mites Injurious to Economic Plants. University of California Press.
Lefroy, H.M. &
F.M. Howlett (1909). Indian Insect Life. W. Thacker & Co., London.
Munda, S.C. (2003). Panch Pargana ke Mundaonper Hindu Dharm ka prabhawa. Kailashpaper converson Pvt. Ltd., Ranchi.
Oudhia, P. (1999). Traditional
medicinal knowledge about Red velvet mite, Trombidiumsp. (Acari: Trombidiidae)
in Chhattisgarh. Insect Environment 5(3):113.
Oudhia, P. (2000). Traditional medicinal knowledge about green leaf hopper, Nephotettix spp. in Chhattisgarh (India). International Rice Research Notes. 25(3):40.
Oudhia, P. (2001). Traditional medicinal knowledge about Pod borer -Heliocoverpa armigerain Chhattisgarh, India. International Chickpea and pigeonpea Newsletter I: 14-15.
Pathak, R.K., D. Pandey, A.K. Mishra, M. Haseeb & D.K. Tondon (2003). TheAonla. Central Institute for
sub-tropical Horticulture, Lucknow, 23pp
Singh, N.P., V. Mudgal, K.K. Khanna, S.C. Srivatava, A.K. Sahoo, S. Bandopadhyay, N. Aziz, M. Das, R.P. Bhattacharya & P.K.Hazra (2001). Flora of Bihar. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta.
Smart, J.
(2003). A Handbook for the Identification of Insects of Medical
Importance. Biotech Books, Delhi.
Smart, P.
(1975). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly in Color.Leisure books, Salmender Books Ltd. England.
Sudhanshu, K. & B. Kumari (2003). Paudhon ka Dadhichee Aak. Jharkhand Today oct.1-15, 39pp.
Zahradnik, J. & M. Chavala (1989). INSECTS: A Comprehensive Illustrated
Guide to Insects of Britain and Europe. Hamlyn Publishing
Group Ltd. Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, London.