| This research highlights the role of poisonous plants in nature and their importance for humans in indigenous cultures. The study includes information and references about history, geography and ethnography from the Department of Cajamarca, Peru, with emphasis on the past and present state of agriculture, and a literature review on reported species used as medicinals, but particularly about plants reported as pesticides, repellents or crop protectants. The fieldwork was conducted in four municipalities, all located in different ecological zones. The interviews and collection of specimens yielded 42 poisonous species and 22 species that are considered useful because of their toxic properties. The yellow fever mosquito (YFM) bioassay was applied to methanolic extracts of the latter 22 species to determine their toxicity to Aedes aegypti L. larvae and provide preliminary information about pesticidal activities in such botanical extracts. Most extracts showed weak to moderated activity except three that were found to have strong pesticidal activity.; The main purposes for this research are to document traditional uses of the flora in the region, and to explore the possibility of encouraging traditional technologies that are well adapted to the Andean environment and low impact, as well as inexpensive alternatives for local agriculture. By doing so, I hope we will be advocating preservation of the precious biodiversity of the Andes and the valuable ancient knowledge of the local communities. |
