（《纲目》）
【释名】土蛹。
【集解】时珍曰∶按∶《白獭髓》云∶广中韶阳属邑乡中，有乳田。
其法∶掘地成窖，以粳米粉铺入窖中，盖之以草，壅之以粪。候雨过气蒸则发开，而米粉皆
化成蛹，如蛴螬状。取蛹作汁，和粳粉蒸成乳食，味甚甘美也。此亦蛴螬之类，出自人为者。
《淮
服食用此代蛴螬，更觉有功无毒。
【气味】甘，温，无毒。
【主治】补虚羸，益胃气，温中明目（时珍）。
（《拾遗》）
【释名】蝎（音曷）。蝤蛴（音囚齐）。
时珍曰∶蠹，古又作 ，食木虫也
璞云∶凡木中 虫，通名为蝎。但所居各异耳。
【集解】藏器曰∶木蠹一如蛴螬，节长足短，生腐木中，穿木如锥刀，至春雨化为天牛。
苏恭以为蛴螬，深误矣。详蛴螬下。
时珍曰∶似蚕而在木中食木者，为蝎；似蚕而在树上食叶者，为 ；
尾相就，屈而后伸者，为尺蠖；似尺蠖而青小者，为螟蛉。三虫皆不能穴木，至夏俱羽化为
蛾。惟穴木之蠹，宜入药用。
【气味】辛，平，有小毒。
【主治】血瘀劳损，月闭不调，腰脊痛，有损血，及心腹间疾（藏
【发明】时珍曰∶各木性味，良毒不同。而蠹亦随所居、所食而异，未可一概用也。古
方用蠹，多取桑、柳、构木者，亦各有义焉。
(From *Bencao Gangmu* / Compendium of Materia Medica)
[Names] Earth pupa.
[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen says: According to *Baita Sui*, in the townships of Shaoyang, Guangdong, there are "milk fields."
The method is as follows: Dig a pit into the ground, spread glutinous rice flour inside, cover it with grass, and mound manure on top. After rain, when the temperature rises and humidity increases, they hatch, and the rice flour transforms into pupae, resembling larvae of scarab beetles (Qicao). These pupae are collected to make juice, mixed with glutinous rice flour, steamed into a milky food, which tastes very sweet and delicious. This also belongs to the category of Qicao, but is artificially produced. Those who consume it use it as a substitute for Qicao, finding it more effective and non-toxic.
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Tonifies deficiency and emaciation, benefits stomach qi, warms the middle and improves vision (Li Shizhen).
(From *Bencao Shiyi* / Supplement to Materia Medica)
[Names] Xie (pronounced 'he'). Youqi (pronounced 'qiu qi').
Li Shizhen says: Du, in ancient texts also written as [wood+hai], refers to insects that eat wood.
Su Song says: Any insect referred to as [wood+hai] within wood is generally called Xie. It is merely that their habitats differ.
[Collected Explanations] Chen Zangqi says: The wood borer resembles Qicao, with long segments and short legs, living in rotten wood, boring through wood like an awl or knife. In the spring rains of the following year, it transforms into a long-horned beetle.
Su Gong considered it to be Qicao, which was a significant error. See under the entry for Qicao.
Li Shizhen says: Those resembling silkworms but eating wood inside logs are called Xie; those resembling silworms but eating leaves on trees are called [wood+hai];
those whose tails meet, bending and then stretching out, are called Looper caterpillars (Chihuo); those resembling Loopers but smaller and green are called Mimic caterpillars (Mingling). These three types of insects cannot bore holes in wood, and all undergo metamorphosis into moths in summer. Only the wood-boring Du is suitable for medicinal use.
[Flavor and Nature] Pungent, neutral, slightly toxic.
[Indications] Blood stasis due to overwork, amenorrhea and irregular menstruation, pain in the lower back and spine, traumatic bleeding, and diseases in the heart and abdomen (Chen Zangqi).
[Enlightened Insights] Li Shizhen says: The properties and flavors of various woods differ significantly in terms of efficacy and toxicity. Consequently, the Du worm varies depending on its habitat and diet, and should not be used indiscriminately. Ancient prescriptions using Du worms mostly selected those from mulberry, willow, or paper mulberry trees, each having its own rationale.