Abstract
BackgroundThe rapid assessment of biodiversity making use of surveys of local knowledge has been successful for different biological taxa. However, there are no reports on the testing of such tools for sampling insect fauna. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of different ethnobiological techniques for rapid sampling of insect fauna.MethodsField research for the conventional survey of insect fauna was conducted on a private farm (9 ° 43'38.95 "S, 37 ° 45'11.97" W) , where there was intensive cultivation of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Moench)). The survey of local entomological knowledge was conducted among all the producers of okra living in the rural villages Pereira, Santa Luzia, and Nassau de Souza, within the Jacaré Curituba irrigated settlement scheme. The combined use of the techniques “free list” and projective interviews was analyzed, using two types of visual stimuli: stock photos and an entomological box.ResultsDuring the conventional survey of insect fauna, the species Bemisia tabaci biotype B, Aphis gossypii, Phenacoccus sp., Icerya purchasi and Lagria villosa were the primary pests found in the okra crop. Regarding the survey of insect pests, the results were convergent in both techniques (conventional sampling and free list). Comparing the interview with visual stimuli (pictures) and specimen witnesses (entomological box) revealed that the latter was more effective.ConclusionTechniques based on the recording and analysis of local knowledge about insects are effective for quick sampling of pest insects, but ineffective in sampling predator insects. The utilization of collected insects, infested branches, or photos of the symptoms of damage caused by pests in projective interviews is recommended.
Highlights
The rapid assessment of biodiversity making use of surveys of local knowledge has been successful for different biological taxa
Comparison between free-listing technique and conventional survey Fifteen species were recorded in the conventional survey and ten categories of insects were cited in the free list, where six species were recorded in common by the two techniques
None of the four species of predatory insects collected in the conventional survey was cited in the free list, showing that this technique was not effective in sampling natural enemies of insect pests
Summary
The rapid assessment of biodiversity making use of surveys of local knowledge has been successful for different biological taxa. There are no reports on the testing of such tools for sampling insect fauna. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of different ethnobiological techniques for rapid sampling of insect fauna. The involvement of farmers is essential in such studies and programs, in that it saves time and money in surveying insect fauna [3]. The information accumulated over time by farmers in a mnemonic way [4] can be accessed through interviews, making it possible to create an inventory of known items within a category [5]. Surveys of key pests can be done more quickly and less costly by interviewing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
