The Use of Gyrinids and Dytiscids for Stimulating Breast Growth in East Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID19002468
AuthorsRuth Kutalek (0000-0002-3325-3173, University of Vienna, corresponding author), Afework Kassa
Year2005
Volume25
Issue1
Pages115-128
Publication date2005-03-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Ethnobiology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0278-0771 • E-ISSN: 2162-4496
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2993/0278-0771(2005)25[115:tuogad]2.0.co;2
OpenAlexW2170621777
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited39

The use of whirligig beetles (Gyrinidae) and predaceous diving beetles (Dytiscidae) for stimulating breast growth in East Africa is a unique traditional practice. The beetles are collected by young girls from rivers and pools and held to their nipples where the beetles “bite” in a defensive reaction. Simultaneously the beetles secrete defensive substances which are produced in special glands to discourage possible vertebrate predators. Gyrinids produce, among other substances, norsesquiterpenes. The Dytiscids also possess prothoracic defensive glands, which produce, among other substances, hormone-like steroids. Larvae of antlions (Myrmeleontidae) are similarly used in East Africa

Archaeology · Geography · Political science · Beetle Biology and Toxicology Studies · Infectious Diseases and Mycology · Insects and Parasite Interactions

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