The term “beetle” (Insecta: Coleoptera) as perceived and used by dwellers of Pedra Branca, Bahia, Brazil - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v28i1.1073

Authors

  • Eraldo Medeiros Costa Neto UEFS Author
  • Maria de Fátima Ribeiro Rodrigues UEFS-Feira de Santana Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4025/actascibiolsci.v28i1.1073

Keywords:

etnoentomologia, etnotaxonomia, besouro, conhecimento tradicional, Brasil

Abstract

Fieldwork was carried out from April to December 2004. Data were obtained from 49 individuals (20 men and 29 women) by means of open-ended tape-recorded interviews and following an emicist approach. Results show that the generic taxon “beetle” is used as an ethnotaxonomic category that brings together not systematically related organisms, besides the Coleoptera of the Linnaean classification. A total of 43 beetle local names were cited. People have attributed qualitative characteristics to these “beetles”, many of which are anthropomorphic. “Beetles” cause damages to human beings since they harm their health, materials, and local crops and fructiferous plants. Information on the natural history of culturally significant “beetles” was recorded. It is concluded that the traditional entomological knowledge of Pedra Branca’s inhabitants concerning the beetles is important as a source of information about local species.

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Author Biography

  • Eraldo Medeiros Costa Neto, UEFS
    Possui graduação pela Universidade Federal de Alagoas (1994), mestrado em Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente pela Universidade Federal de Alagoas (1998) e doutorado em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais pela Universidade Federal de São Carlos (2003). Pós-doutorado na UNAM pelo Instituito de Biología (2005), onde trabalhou em etnoentomologia junto com a Dra. Julieta Ramos-Elorduy. Professor Adjunto B lotado no Departamento de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, onde desde 1995 atua na disciplina Etnobiologia. Tem experiência na área de Ecologia, com ênfase em Ecologia Aplicada, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: etnoentomologia, etnozoologia, conhecimentos tradicionais, zooterapia e medicina tradicional Currículo Lattes

Published

2008-03-11

Issue

Section

Ethnobiology

How to Cite

The term “beetle” (Insecta: Coleoptera) as perceived and used by dwellers of Pedra Branca, Bahia, Brazil - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v28i1.1073. (2008). Acta Scientiarum. Biological Sciences, 28(1), 71-80. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascibiolsci.v28i1.1073

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