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Traditional healing methods involving hundreds of insect and other invertebrate species are reviewed. Some of the uses are based on the tenet of “similia similibus” (let likes be cured by likes), but not all non-conventional health promoting practices should be dismissed as superstition or wishful thinking, for they have stood the test of time. Two questions are addressed: how can totally different organ systems in a human possibly benefit from extracts, potions, powders, secretions, ashes, etc. of a single species and how can different target organs, e.g. bronchi, lungs, the urinary bladder, kidneys, etc. apparently respond to a range of taxonomically not even closely related species? Even though therapeutically used invertebrates are generally small, they nevertheless possess organs for specific functions, e.g. digestion, gas exchange, reproduction. They have a nervous system, endocrine glands, a heart and muscle tissue and they contain a multitude of different molecules like metabolites, enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, secretions, etc. that have come under increased scientific scrutiny for pharmacological properties. Bearing that in mind it seems likely that a single species prepared and used in different ways could have a multitude of uses. But how, for example, can there be remedies for breathing and other problems, involving earthworms, molluscs, termites, beetles, cockroaches, bugs, and dragonflies? Since invertebrates themselves can suffer from infections and cancers, common defence reactions are likely to have evolved in all invertebrates, which is why it would be far more surprising to find that each species had evolved its own unique disease fighting system. To obtain a more comprehensive picture, however, we still need information on folk medicinal uses of insects and other invertebrates from a wider range of regions and ethnic groups, but this task is hampered by western-based medicines becoming increasingly dominant and traditional healers being unable and sometimes even unwilling to transmit their knowledge to the younger generation. However, collecting and uncontrolled uses of therapeutic invertebrates can put undue pressure on certain highly sought after species and this is something that has to be borne in mind as well.

Amino acids, fatty acids and minerals were investigated in the farmed freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata (Ampullariidae) to understand its nutritional potential as alternative livestock. Snail samples with removed gut content were collected from a local snail farm in the Republic of Korea. Almost all the essential amino acids present in the snail protein satisfied the recommended level for an ideal protein pattern, while methionine was present at a marginal level. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (60.5%) was higher than that of saturated fatty acids (39.5%). The ratio of polyunsaturated to monounsaturated fatty acids was 1.08, underscoring the high nutritional quality of the fat content of the species. The most abundant mineral was calcium. The high K/Na ratio (3.9) and the presence of substantial amounts of phosphorus, iron and zinc makes P. canaliculata snail meat potentially valuable. Thus, the utilization of under-appreciated nutritious food resources could be helpful in mitigating food security problems and in solving nutritional shortcomings in underprivileged parts of the world.

Howard, F. W., Moore, D., Giblin-Davis, R. M., & Abad, R. G. 2001: Palm Trees and their Insects. — CABI Publishing, Oxford. 400 pp. Price £58.50. Nilsson, A. N. 2001: Dytiscidae (Coleoptera). World Catalogue of Insects. 3. — Apollo Books, Stenstrup, Denmark. 395 pp. ISBN 87-88757-62- 5. Price 690 DKK. Löbl, I. & Smetana, A. (eds.) 2003: Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera. 1. Archostemata- Myxophaga-Adephaga. — Apollo Books, Stenstrup, Denmark. 818 pp. ISBN 87-88757-73- 0. Price 900 DKK.

Eyestalks of cavernicolous Troglocaris sp. cf. anophthalmus from an Istrian cave were examined by light- , scanning- and transmission electron microscopy. Apart from nervous tissue inside the eyestalk, no indications of ommatidia or their constituent cells tvere found. A few sensory bristles on the outer surface and piles of conderLSed membrane, surrounded by what could have been haemocyte spherules, in the cvtoplasm of sub-cuticular eyestalk cells were seen instead. Electrophysiologically and behaviourally no sensitivity could be demonstrated.