Evaluation of certain insecticidal plants for the control of vector mosquitoes viz. Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti

Abstract

Petroleum ether extracts of 63 varieties of plant species, including 37 varieties of leaves, 14 varieties of seeds, 10 varieties of flowers and 2 varieties of fruits were tested for larvicidal activity against 3rd instar larvae of important vector mosquitoes i.e. Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). A 24 h bioassay showed that six plant extracts, Acacia nilotica, Argemone mexicana (leaves and seeds), Citrullus colocynthis, Jatropha curcas and Withania somnifera were toxic, with an LC50 value of less than 100 ppm against all three vector mosquitoes tested.