SALT
RESEARCH
DIAMPHIDIA Beetles
Overall:
The poison compound in the pupae of the Diamphidia beetle used by the San People (Bushmen) of South Africa is a unique compound diamphotoxin. The bushmen dig up cocoons and then squeeze the larvae on their arrow. Up to 10 larvea may be applied to one arrow. Although there are few reports about the affects on humans the main action of the poison is hymolisis. Means destruction of the red blood cells with a subsequent release of hemoglobin, or the protein in the blood that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
How Bushmen use the pupae of Diamphidia beetles as arrow poison:
http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/beetles/chrysomelidae/alticinae/arrows.htm
Diamphidia or Bushman arrow-poison beetle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamphotoxin#Toxin
The Effect of the poison from the Diamphidia beetle on humans:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=298778
