Abstract： Diabetic peripheral neuropathy （DPN） is a common chronic complication of diabetes， classified in traditional Chinese medicine as "bi disease of wasting-thirst. " YE Tianshi′s concept of "prolonged illness entering collaterals" and "prolonged pain entering collaterals" reveals the essence of bi syndrome pain. "Pain due to obstruction" is considered the core pathogenesis of DPN，with collateral obstruction and collateral malnutrition being the focal points of DPN diagnosis and treatment. Insect drugs demonstrate unique advantages in treating DPN by "unblocking collaterals， removing stasis， and replenishing qi and blood. " Different insect drugs have distinct efficacy characteristics and therapeutic emphases due to their varying properties， flavors， and meridian tropisms. Among common insect drugs， Scorpio and Scolopendra excel at dispelling wind， relieving spasms， unblocking collaterals， and alleviating pain； Pheretima is skilled at clearing heat，detoxifying，unblocking collaterals，and dispersing masses；while Hirudo and Eupolyphaga Steleophaga are often used for removing blood stasis，unblocking collaterals，and alleviating pain. These drugs can multi-targetedly intervene in the state of collateral stasis， improving microcirculation， regulating inflammatory factors，and repairing nerve damage. Based on the theory that "collaterals needing unblocking to function， " integrating the efficacy of insect drugs with modern pharmacological mechanisms， and clinically selecting and rationally combining them according to specific pathogenesis，provides new strategic directions for traditional Chinese medicine treatment of DPN.