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(From *Bencao Shiyi* / Supplement to Materia Medica)
Chen Cangqi stated: Mu Meng (Wood Horsefly, *Tabanus japonicus*) is produced in Lingnan. Its shape resembles a buttock plate, with a brown and flat body. Wearing it is believed to foster love between people, and locals value it highly.

Koutou Chong (Head-bowing Insect)
Li Shizhen stated: This insect is as large as Banmao (Blister Beetle, *Mylabris phalerata*) and black in color. Pressing its abdomen causes it to bow its head and make a sound. It can enter the human ear; pouring raw oil into the ear will cause it to exit. Liu Jingshu's *Yi Yuan* records this. Fu Xian of the Jin Dynasty wrote an ode about it.

Meidie (Charming Butterfly)
Li Shizhen stated: *Buhu Lu* records: In the regions beyond the岭s, there is a plant called Hezicao (Crane Grass), which is a climbing vine that flowers. It blooms in summer, resembling a flying crane, with complete wings, feathers, beak, and spurs. The butterfly is reddish-yellow. Women collect and wear it, similar to fine bird skin, believing it makes one charming and beloved, hence named "Meidie". *Dongming Ji* records: During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the Lebi Kingdom presented small birds.

(Meng [phonetic]. Listed as Middle Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*).
[Names] Hunchang (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Li Shizhen stated: Meng flies by vibrating its wings, producing a "meng meng" sound, thus named. Lu Tiansaid: Mosquitoes harm the people, hence called mosquito; Meng harms... [text incomplete/obscure] tong.

[Collected Explanations] *Bielu* states: Mu Meng grows in the streams and marshes of Hanzhong and is harvested in May.
Su Song stated: It is found everywhere now, but particularly abundant in areas near Xiangyang and Hanzhong.
Tao Hongjing stated: This type of Meng resembles the horsefly but is smaller and does not suck blood. It is not seen in grass near roads, and few are sold in markets; physicians only use Fei Meng (Flying Horsefly).
Su Gong stated: There are several types of Meng, all capable of sucking blood, especially abundant in the river and ridge areas south of Shangzhou and Xizhou. Mu Meng is large, green, almost like a cicada; it sucks cattle and horses and may even cause them to fall. Fei Meng resembles a honeybee, yellow-black, and is commonly used by the public. Another smaller type is named Lumeng or Niumeng, as large as a fly, biting cattle and horses fiercely. Merchants collect and sell these three types together, primarily for treating blood disorders; although they have minor differences, their use is not restricted. Mu Meng is significantly larger, whereas Tao Hongjing claimed it was smaller than a horsefly and did not suck blood, likely due to his lack of recognition.
Chen Cangqi stated: Mu Meng emerges from tree leaves, rolling the leaf like a cocoon, round in shape, attached to the leaf. When first broken out, it resembles a white maggot, gradually growing larger and metamorphosing; upon breaking the leaf, it flies away and immediately bites objects. They also exist in the northern borders and are extremely common in Lingnan, similar to how Gudū transforms into ants. Mu Meng refers to those within the leaves, while Fei Meng refers to those already flying; just as silkworm pupae and moths are essentially the same thing, they should not be listed separately. Their functions may differ, leading to separate annotations by later scholars.
Li Shizhen stated: Jin Youzi's *Beizheng Lu* records: In the grass of Changle Town in the northern barbarian lands, there are Meng insects, some as large as dragonflies, brushing against faces and biting. Yuan Zhen's *Changqing Ji* records: In the valleys of Bashu, rain is frequent in spring and autumn; from May-June to August-September, Meng insects are numerous, flying in swarms along roads, sucking blood from cattle and horses, and biting humans with severe toxicity. There are many water maggots in streams, over an inch long and black. At the end of summer, they transform into Meng insects, which sting humans very毒ly (poisonously/viciously). Observing this, the transformation of Meng insects comes from both trees and water, not just one source.

[Properties and Flavors] Bitter, neutral, toxic.
[Indications] Redness and pain of the eyes, tearing, blood stasis, amenorrhea/blood obstruction, aversion to cold and fever, soreness and pain.