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Authors

  • Eraldo Medeiros Costa Neto Departamento de Ciências Biológicas – Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana
  • Josué Marques Pacheco Departamento de Biologia Evolutiva e Ecologia – Universidade Federal de São Carlos

Abstract

Medicinal use of insects in the county of Pedra Branca, Santa Terezinha, Bahia, Brazil. This paper deals with the use of insects as medicinal resources by inhabitants of the county of Pedra Branca, which is located in the interior of Bahia State, northeastern Brazil. The survey was carried out from February to May 2001 by conducting open-ended interviews with 52 informants of both sexes, aged over 30. The value of each of the entomotherapeutic resources was estimated through its relative importance (RI), a versatility measure. A total of 27 kinds of insects was recorded as being medicinally useful in the treatment of locally diagnosed illnesses and symptoms. The order Hymenoptera was predominant, with 12 kinds represented. The recording of the usage of medicinal insects in this locality provides a relevant contribution to the phenomenon of zootherapy. Biochemical and pharmacological studies are needed to promote the development of new drugs for the improvement of human health.

Author Biography

Eraldo Medeiros Costa Neto, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas – Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana

Possui Graduação pela Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Mestrado em Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente pela Universidade Federal de Alagoas e Doutorado em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais pela Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Pós-doutorado na UNAM pelo Instituito de Biología, 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.

Mais informações no Currículo Lattes.

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Published

2005-01-01

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2005)

Section

Artigos

License

Copyright (c) 2005 Eraldo Medeiros Costa Neto, Josué Marques Pacheco

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