Di Gu Niu is the larva of the antlion in the family Myrmeleontidae. It is mainly distributed in South China, Taiwan, Sichuan, and other places. Di Gu Niu has high medicinal value and is used for treating urinary tract infections, malaria, abdominal masses, and tuberculosis.
Currently, the number of these insects is very limited, and they are almost impossible to cultivate artificially, making them highly valuable.
Di Gu Niu prefers sandy areas and is commonly found in sandy soil at the foot of cliffs.
Di Gu Niu can be caught throughout the year, mainly in summer and autumn when the antlions are nesting. After capture, they are lightly stir-fried over low heat until the body expands.
Di Gu Niu has a light and crispy texture with a slightly fishy smell and a slightly salty taste. The best specimens are large, intact, yellow-brown in color, light in weight, and without sand or mud.
The adult antlions live in grassy areas and are most active during dusk. The larvae inhabit dry sandy soil, creating funnel-shaped burrows where they lie in wait for small insects to fall in and become their prey. They are mainly distributed in South China, Taiwan, Sichuan, and other places.
The true face of Di Gu Niu is not easily seen by ordinary people. It likes to "hide" in the soft sandy soil at the foot of old houses and cliffs. Its presence can often be found in the sandy soil at the foot of old houses or on the slopes of cliffs in Meitan Township!
Di Gu Niu usually hides quite deep in the sandy soil, creating funnel-shaped traps. It preys on small insects such as mosquitoes and flies that accidentally fall into the trap.
It lies in ambush, and once a small insect falls into the trap, it sucks it to death with its sharp mandibles, just like a "vampire" in a movie!
Its adult form is called "antlion," which may sound familiar. It is the annoying creature that often flies into the house for no reason at night and circles around the chandelier. It turns out to be the adult form of the "antlion" larva.
