Elderly and insects: ethnoentomological knowledge and valorization of traditional knowledge

Abstract

Culture transcends generations, and the elderly are responsible for its perpetuation and the maintenance of ethnoknowledge. The interaction of the elderly with nature is significant, particularly in contact with insects, which is the most evident in daily life. This study aimed to evaluate the ethnoentomological knowledge of elderly participants in social projects. To this end, we tested three hypotheses in a semi-structured discussion group with 87 participants, mainly women with an average age of 70 years, low educational levels, and predominantly homemakers and urban residents. Insects were predominantly associated with negative aspects, both in the importance attributed to them by the participants and the experiences they had. We observed that the elderly possess vast ethnoknowledge, learned from family and through direct encounters with insects. The study highlights the need to promote practices for the elderly that enhance the appreciation of cultural knowledge and encompass care for nature and insect conservation.

Keywords:
environmental education; ethnoknowledge; elderly.