About – “There seem to be several species of insects called betsey bugs or bessy bugs; one is a big black beetle, nearly two inches long, found in old stumps and rotten wood. People subject to earache some- times keep several of these betsey bugs alive in a glass jar, to be used as needed.” ~Randolph OMF 146
Killed to cure an earache – “Another common treatment for earache is to prick a betsey bug with a pin and put a drop of its blood into the ear.” ~Randolph OMF 145-146
“For an ear-ache, catch a betsy-bug (rhinocerus beetle) from an old rotten log, pull off its head, and pour the insides into the ear of the afflicted person.” ~Parler FBA II 2097
Parler, Mary Celestia Folk Beliefs from Arkansas (FBA)
Randolph, Vance Ozark Magic and Folklore (OMF)
Source: Ozark Encyclopedia – B – Betsy Bug
GrannyMoon's Morning Feast 