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. 2010:10:150.
doi: 10.1673/031.010.14110.

Uninvited guests: traditional insect repellents in Estonia used against the clothes moth Tineola bisselliella, human flea Pulex irritons and bedbug Cimex lectularius

Renata Sõukand  1 , Raivo Kalle, Ingvar Svanberg
Affiliations

Uninvited guests: traditional insect repellents in Estonia used against the clothes moth Tineola bisselliella, human flea Pulex irritons and bedbug Cimex lectularius

Renata Sõukand et al. J Insect Sci. 2010.

Abstract

Extensive folklore records from pre-modern Estonia give us an excellent opportunity to study a variety of local plant knowledge and plant use among the peasantry in various parts of the country. One important biocultural domain where plant knowledge has been crucial was in the various methods of combating different ectoparasites that cohabited and coexisted with humans and their domestic animals. Some of these methods were widely known (world-wide, Eurasia, Europe, Baltic Rim), while others were more local. Here we discuss ways of reducing clothes moths Tineola bisselliella (Hummel) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae), human fleas Pulex irritons L. (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) and bedbugs Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) with the help of plants. Various taxa used as traditional repellents have been identified. The use of plants as repellents and their toxic principles are also discussed from a comparative perspective.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The distribution of Acorus calamus in Estonia, formula image - The species has been found in 1971–2005, formula image - Distribution data from 1921–1970 (Kukk and Kull 2005: 360). High quality figures are available online.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The distribution of all ethnomedical botanical knowledge related to Accorus calamus, according to HERBA. High quality figures are available online.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The distribution of Artemisia absinthium in Estonia, formula image - The species has been found in 1971–2005, formula image - Distribution data from 1921–1970 (Kukk and Kull 2005: 55). High quality figures are available online.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
The distribution of all ethnomedical botanical knowledge related to Artemisia absinthium collected during the last century, according to HERBA. High quality figures are available online.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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