adulterations of herbal drugs

3.3.7  Insects and Moths

Different types of Lepidoptera damage stored herbs and cause harm at the larval stage, when the invasion can spread 

quickly. The moths are unspectacular in appearance, 22–30 mm long with grayish wings, for example, Ephestia kuehniella 

(Flour moth) and E. ellutella (Cocoa Moth). Other insects, such as cockroaches and ants, may also damage stored herbs.

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3.3.8  Coleoptera or Beetles

These insects constitute the largest domain of the animal kingdom, containing around 250,000 types of which about 600 

have been observed to be related with stored herbal drugs. Stegobium paniceum is one such creepy crawly, which is found 

in many medications, including gentian, licorice, and rhubarb, in addition to verdant medications and seeds. Having a place 

with a similar family is Lasioderma serricorne (tobacco or stogie insect) which is ruddy dark colored in shading, 2–2.5 mm 

long, and found in many stored herbal restorative items, including ginger and licorice.