Can we save the valuable rain insects (Rani Keeda) in Chhattisgarh, India ?

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

From last week, daily morning I am visiting to river areas of Chhattisgarh to see the Red velvety carpet spread all over the fields. These carpet consists of thousands of rain insects (Rani Keeda, Red Velvet Mite, Beer bahuti, Trombidium) appear on ground every year for three to four hours.

I am regularly monitoring these rain insects from 1996 and feeling very sad to inform that its natural population is decreasing at alarming rates. This is not the situation of Raipur region but the volunteers of SOPAM from different corners of Chhattisgarh are regularly sending the same observations. The reason for decreasing population is well known and that is its heavy demand as medicinal insect in national and international markets. It is used as sex tonic, mainly. It is also in use for preparation of oil to enlarge the breasts. It is known as Birbahuti in national markets and Trombidium at international markets. Since generations, the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are using this rain insect (entomologically mite) as medicine both internally and externally. The reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India are full of information on medicinal uses of the rain insects. In my previous article I have written a lot on this medicinal insect. Every morning when we visit to river side, we find hundreds of insect collectors already present there and engaged in collection. It is true that the increasing national and international demands have generated new employment opportunities for rural persons but it is also a bare fact that due to unscientific exploitation its population is decreasing at alarming rate. Unfortunately, the state government have no control on its trade. Very few officers are aware of this trade. The insect collectors are also not aware of its national and international demand. This is the reason, they are getting the same price for collection as they were getting decades back. I have searched the net for medicinal properties and uses of rain insects but yet not got any information. Every year through different sources, I try to communicate regarding this endangered species to the world community with hope that I will get some technical guidance in order to protect this species well in time.

This year the collection has increased many folds. This will continue upto 10-15 more days. Yesterday, Raipur based National Newspaper Janasatta published the information on this rain insect and my appeal on front page. They have assured me to highlight this important news at national level. I am confident that my appeal in form of the article will reach to the world community through Botanical.com one more time. From traditional healers of Chhattisgarh specialized in use of this insect as medicine, I have learnt special method of its collection. They informed me that to maintain the population of rain insect in nature they collect it from only one direction. Next year they collect it from other direction. This rotational collection helps in maintaining the natural population and this is the reason, the activities of healers and natives, never disturb these insects. Now the new collectors are under pressure and they are collecting more and more insects in less and less time to earn more. The local herb markets of Chhattisgarh are becoming full of dead rain insects. The traders are purchasing it in bulk and drying it in sunlight. After drying they will sell it to the Varanasi market of Uttar Pradesh, famous for Rain insect oil extraction units. At international markets, this oil is sold at very high rates.
I am working with this rain insect since 1992. I have evaluated it during my plastic eating organism projects but not found very promising. Raipur (India) experienced Total Solar Eclipse (95%) on 11th August, 1999 (from 5.58pm to 6.02 pm). Studies were conducted to know the effects on (1) behavioural changes (2) and feeding activities of some insects and mites. The studies were focused on Mexican Beetle (Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister), Tortoise beetle
(Aspidomorpha miliaris F.), Lady bird beetle (Coccinella septumpunctata Linn. ). Blumea leaf beetle (Chrysolina madrasae Jackoby) and Red Velvet mite (Trombidium grandissimum Koch).
Twenty five adults of the beetles were kept in plastic jars partially filled with soil in direct exposure (i.e. outside the laboratory), and indirect exposure (i.e. inside the laboratory).
The experiments were replicated thrice. Observations were recorded from 4.00pm to 7.30 pm continuously. The results were compared with their activities in normal days. In another experiments, these beetles were kept with different feeding materials in order to study the effects of Total Solar Eclipse on feeding habits. During Total Solar Eclipse (i.e. from 5.58pm to 6.02pm) abnormal activities of Chrysolina and Trombidium (the rain insect) were noted. Beetles suddenly came out from soil and started rapid movement. This abnormal movement was also observed in beetles inside the laboratory but the movement were slower. Trombidium
mites stopped feeding during 5.00pm to 6.30pm no changes in feeding activities of other beetles were observed during experimental period. (Oudhia, P. 1999. Effect of Total Solar Eclipse on activities of some insects and mites. Insect Environment. Vol. 5(3). 113-114) My wish is to test this rain insect in case of Bhoo-kamp (Earthquake). I am not sure but I feel that this species can play a vital role in earthquake forecasting. As the facilities for this type of detailed research are not available with me, I have yet not started studies on this important aspect. Every time when I see these rain insect, my love for it increases many times. I am observing its decreasing population from 1996 and this is my misfortune that I have yet not got success to impose ban to its illegal trade from Chhattisgarh. If you have any suggestion on this aspect, please e-mail it to me.

Thank you very much for reading the article.