Rhynchophorus palmarum used in Traditional Medicine in the Peruvian Amazon

  • Cesar Delgado Programa de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4961-7736
  • Rosa Romero Departamento de Lenguas Nativas y Extranjeras, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
  • Rosa Vásquez Espinoza Program of Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
  • Marcial Trigozo Programa de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
  • Rocio Correa Programa de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
Keywords: Insects, Beetle, Larvae, Ethnomedicine, Peru

Abstract

Ethnoentomological research focuses on the wealth of knowledge about insects used by indigenous communities. Here, we examine the medicinal use of insects, with a particular focus on Rhynchophorus palmarum, also known as suri, by indigenous peoples in the Peruvian Amazon. Between January 2014 and November 2015, a semi-structured survey was conducted in six communities belonging to Kukama-kukamiria, Tikuna, and Awajum ethnic groups. Each participant answered three key questions: i) what insects do you use to treat your diseases; ii) what diseases do you treat; and iii) how do you treat each disease? A total of 63 people were interviewed. Over half of the interviewees from the three ethnic groups mentioned using the larva of the R. palmarum for medicinal purposes. The oil of the larva is used to treat more than ten diseases, particularly respiratory illnesses. Chemical analysis of the larvae indicates the presence of linoleic and linolenic acids, which confer antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Author Biographies

Cesar Delgado, Programa de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú

Cesar Delgado is Head of the Entomology Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana.

Rosa Romero, Departamento de Lenguas Nativas y Extranjeras, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú

Rosa Romero is a teacher at the Department of Foreign and Native Languages, National University of the Peruvian Amazon.

Rosa Vásquez Espinoza, Program of Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

Rosa Vásquez Espinoza is a PhD student at the Program of Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Michigan.

Marcial Trigozo, Programa de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú

Marcial Trigoso is a specialist in natural resources management at the Amazon Biodiversity Research Program, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana.

Rocio Correa, Programa de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
Rocío Correa is a specialist in environmental education at the Amazon Biodiversity Research Program, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana.    

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Commercialization of suri in local markets surrounding the indigenous communities surveyed. A Extraction of the suri oil in the Nanay market located in the Kukama-Kukamiria community; B Suri oil in a plastic bottle ready for commercialization in the Nanay market. A 40 mL bottle costs USD 3.09; C Roasted suri ready for consumption with tacacho or bananas. Photo by Cesar Delgado.
Published
2019-12-10
How to Cite
Delgado, C., Romero, R., Vásquez Espinoza, R., Trigozo, M., & Correa, R. (2019). Rhynchophorus palmarum used in Traditional Medicine in the Peruvian Amazon. Ethnobiology Letters, 10(1), 120-128. https://doi.org/10.14237/ebl.10.1.2019.1271
Section
Research Communications