[Shapes, properties and microstructures of gadfly].
OBJECTIVE
To search and identify the microstructure of medicinal properties of six kinds of gadfly.


METHODS
The medicinal properties, different body parts and bristles microscopic characteristics were compared.


RESULTS
The two-spotted yellow gadfly had a smaller size. Its length no more than 14 mm, body wall debris was yellow brown or pale yellow, the seta was smaller than that of the other gadflies; while the other five varieties' body lengths all exceeded 15 mm, and their body wall debris mostly were brown black or gray and black.


CONCLUSIONS
The authentication between the two-spotted yellow gadfly and the other five varieties can be made by the microscopic characteristics of their medicinal properties, body wall debris colors, bristle lengths, and basal diameters.
Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
Junde
J
Li
Luqi
L
Huang
Xuefeng
X
Feng
Zi
Z
Li
Xiaoguang
X
Ge
D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D008853:Microscopy