Pesticides spell doom to rain bugs

 Arudra purugu (Trombidium grandissimum)

The ‘Arudra Karthe’ might come in July every year but the much fascinated insects ‘Arudra Purugulu’ (Trombidium grandissimum), also called giant red velvet mites or rain bugs, might become history in the near future. These fascinating creatures are slowly becoming extinct in rural areas. 

The appearance of these soft velvety mites is a symbol of onset of rains. In the past, some people used to even swallow then believing that it was a medicine to various ailments in monsoon.

It is also used in traditional ‘medicine’ to treat paralysis. The insects also have alleged ability to increase sexual desire and are known as Indian Viagra’. These days, are not appearing in such large numbers in agriculture fields as they used to in the earlier days, mainly due to the pollution by pesticides.

Farmers say these velvety creatures come from nowhere during ‘Arudra Karthe’ with the onset of rains and will continue till the end of July.   

Retired senior Agriculture scientist C. Narsing of Adilabad said ‘Arudra Purugulu’ are gradually disappearing from agriculture fields due to excessive use of pesticides, especially the anti weeds being used by the farmers.

But in tribal areas, we find these mites in large numbers even today”, he said adding that delayed monsoon could not be one of the reasons for the rare sight of these insects this season.

The Arudra purugulu with six legs and two antennas attract children and elders alike with their bright red body colour. When touched, they become static and draw their legs inside. Children in rural areas catch these attractive inspects and play with them confining them in match boxes.

Gunjala Ramesh of Taroda (B) in Jainad mandal said ‘he could find only three  rain bugs (Arudra purugulu) after searching for them in 10 fields around his village and added that parents made their children to swallow the Arudra purugulu as medicines due to their therapeutic value to get cured from cough, ‘Nattalu’, cold in the rainy season.

‘They rarely find the Arudra purugulu in Agriculture fields these days as they disappeared due to excess use of pesticides, said Ramesh.