✵The article records the herb Stink-bug—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor—and identifies its source as a single insect species: (1) Aspongopus chinensis Dallas. It provides a detailed introduction to the morphological features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this insect species, as well as the characteristics of the herbal material Stink-bug, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Aspongopus (Stink-bug)
Pinyin Name: Jiǔ Xiānɡ Chónɡ
English Name: Stink-bug.
Latin Name:Aspongopus Properties and Flavor: Warm, pungent, salty
Brief Introduction: The herb Aspongopus (Stink-bug) consists of the dried whole body of Aspongopus chinensis Dallas (family Pentatomidae). It is used (1) to regulate Qi and alleviate pain—indicated for epigastric distension and pain—and (2) to tonify the kidney—indicated for impotence and lumbago. It is commonly known as Aspongopus, Stink-bug, or Jiǔ Xiānɡ Chónɡ.
Insect Source: Classical herbal works define Aspongopus (Stink-bug) as the dried whole body of Aspongopus chinensis Dallas. It is an insect belonging to the genus Aspongopus, family Pentatomidae (stinkbug family), order Hemiptera. The commonly accepted source species is introduced below:
(1) Aspongopus chinensis Dallas.
Description:Aspongopus chinensis Dallas is commonly known as Jiǔ Xiānɡ Chónɡ. The insect is elliptical, 1.7–2.2 cm long and 1.0–1.2 cm wide. Its body is generally atropurpureus (purplish-black) with a coppery luster. The head, pronotum, and scutellum are black. The head is narrowly tapering and slightly triangular; compound eyes are prominent and oval (egg-shaped), located on both sides near the base; one pair of ocelli (simple eyes) is orange; the beak is short; antennae number five—of which the first segment is thick and cylindrical, while the remaining four are slender and flattened; the second and third antennal segments are longer than the fourth and fifth. The anterior part of the pronotum is narrow, the posterior part broad; the anterior margin is concave, the posterior margin is slightly arched, the median region is transverse, and the lateral margins are prominent. The surface bears dense, fine punctures and irregular black wrinkles; both sides of the anterior pronotum feature a conspicuous “eyebrow area” that is dark-colored, with only the central portion bearing punctures. The scutellum is large. Wings are present in two pairs: the forewings are hemelytrous—brownish-red in the coriaceous basal portion, membranous at the apex, and densely traversed by longitudinal veins. Three pairs of legs are present; hind legs are elongated; each tarsus comprises three segments. The ventral surface exhibits fine striations and wrinkles. Two scent glands (stink pores) are located on the anterior part of the metathoracic and abdominal sternites. In males, the ninth abdominal segment constitutes the genital segment; its posterior margin is arcuate, with the center especially elevated and protruding.
Ecological Environment: Adult insects possess functional wings and are capable of flight. Host plants are primarily cucurbits, including squash, wax gourd, watermelon, loofah, and pumpkin. Newly hatched nymphs predominantly inhabit tendrils, leaf buds, and petioles of host plants and shelter under yellowed, withered, and curled leaves. They feed on plant sap. Adults overwinter beneath soil clods, stones, rock crevices, melon sheds, or wall fissures. The species is widely distributed across China.
Growth Characteristics: Adults possess wings and can fly. They typically overwinter beneath soil clods, stones, and crevices, and emerge in March each year.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herbal material is slightly hexagonal and flat-oval, 1.6–2.0 cm long and approximately 1.0 cm wide. The surface is tan (chocolate brown) or brownish-black and slightly glossy. The head is small and slightly triangular in conjunction with the thorax; compound eyes are prominent and oval (egg-shaped); one pair of ocelli (simple eyes) and one pair of five-segmented antennae are present—most antennae are detached. The abdomen is reddish-brown to brownish-black, with small protruding punctures near the margin of each segment. The texture is brittle; upon fracture, the ventral surface reveals light brown internal contents. The herb possesses a distinctive odor and tastes slightly salty.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Antibacterial activity demonstrated in vitro; (2) Strong inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi A, and Shigella flexneri.
Medicinal Efficacy: Regulates Qi and relieves pain; warms the middle energizer and supports Yang; warms the kidney and strengthens Yang. It is indicated for gastric cold with distension and pain; liver-stomach pain due to Qi stagnation; distension and pain in the chest and hypochondrium (gastric cavity) resulting from liver-stomach disharmony or cold stagnation in the middle energizer; kidney-Yang deficiency manifesting as impotence; soreness and pain in the waist and knees; lumbago due to Yang deficiency; spleen- and kidney-Yang deficiency; and insufficiency of primordial Yang.
Administration of Aspongopus (Jiǔ Xiānɡ Chónɡ):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Aspongopus (Jiǔ Xiānɡ Chónɡ)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–9 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 1–2 qian (approximately 3–6 grams), or prepared as pills or powder; (3) Internally:water decoction, 3–9 grams, or prepared as pills or powder, 0.6–1.2 grams per dose.
✵The article records the herb Stink-bug—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor—and identifies its source as a single insect species: (1) Aspongopus chinensis Dallas. It provides a detailed introduction to the morphological features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this insect species, as well as the characteristics of the herbal material Stink-bug, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Jiǔ Xiānɡ Chónɡ
Description: Aspongopus chinensis Dallas is commonly known as Jiǔ Xiānɡ Chónɡ. The insect is elliptical, 1.7–2.2 cm long and 1.0–1.2 cm wide. Its body is generally atropurpureus (purplish-black) with a coppery luster. The head, pronotum, and scutellum are black. The head is narrowly tapering and slightly triangular; compound eyes are prominent and oval (egg-shaped), located on both sides near the base; one pair of ocelli (simple eyes) is orange; the beak is short; antennae number five—of which the first segment is thick and cylindrical, while the remaining four are slender and flattened; the second and third antennal segments are longer than the fourth and fifth. The anterior part of the pronotum is narrow, the posterior part broad; the anterior margin is concave, the posterior margin is slightly arched, the median region is transverse, and the lateral margins are prominent. The surface bears dense, fine punctures and irregular black wrinkles; both sides of the anterior pronotum feature a conspicuous “eyebrow area” that is dark-colored, with only the central portion bearing punctures. The scutellum is large. Wings are present in two pairs: the forewings are hemelytrous—brownish-red in the coriaceous basal portion, membranous at the apex, and densely traversed by longitudinal veins. Three pairs of legs are present; hind legs are elongated; each tarsus comprises three segments. The ventral surface exhibits fine striations and wrinkles. Two scent glands (stink pores) are located on the anterior part of the metathoracic and abdominal sternites. In males, the ninth abdominal segment constitutes the genital segment; its posterior margin is arcuate, with the center especially elevated and protruding.
Ecological Environment: Adult insects possess functional wings and are capable of flight. Host plants are primarily cucurbits, including squash, wax gourd, watermelon, loofah, and pumpkin. Newly hatched nymphs predominantly inhabit tendrils, leaf buds, and petioles of host plants and shelter under yellowed, withered, and curled leaves. They feed on plant sap. Adults overwinter beneath soil clods, stones, rock crevices, melon sheds, or wall fissures. The species is widely distributed across China.
Growth Characteristics: Adults possess wings and can fly. They typically overwinter beneath soil clods, stones, and crevices, and emerge in March each year.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herbal material is slightly hexagonal and flat-oval, 1.6–2.0 cm long and approximately 1.0 cm wide. The surface is tan (chocolate brown) or brownish-black and slightly glossy. The head is small and slightly triangular in conjunction with the thorax; compound eyes are prominent and oval (egg-shaped); one pair of ocelli (simple eyes) and one pair of five-segmented antennae are present—most antennae are detached. The abdomen is reddish-brown to brownish-black, with small protruding punctures near the margin of each segment. The texture is brittle; upon fracture, the ventral surface reveals light brown internal contents. The herb possesses a distinctive odor and tastes slightly salty.
Medicinal Efficacy: Regulates Qi and relieves pain; warms the middle energizer and supports Yang; warms the kidney and strengthens Yang. It is indicated for gastric cold with distension and pain; liver-stomach pain due to Qi stagnation; distension and pain in the chest and hypochondrium (gastric cavity) resulting from liver-stomach disharmony or cold stagnation in the middle energizer; kidney-Yang deficiency manifesting as impotence; soreness and pain in the waist and knees; lumbago due to Yang deficiency; spleen- and kidney-Yang deficiency; and insufficiency of primordial Yang.
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