Vol. 2, Issue 3, Part A (2015)

Author(s): P. Malathi, S.R. Vasugi

Abstract: The development of resistance to chemical insecticides among mosquito species has been considered as a setback in vector control. This has necessitated the need for a research and development of eco-friendly, biodegradable indigenous method for vector control. Mosquito larvicidal efficacy and phytochemical screening of crude aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaf, bark, root and seed of Carica papaya of family Caricaceae a common traditional medicinal plant were evaluated in the present study. Phytochemical screening of the selected parts’ crude aqueous and ethanol extracts indicated the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponin, phenol, tannin, flavones, coumarins, anthocyanin and flavanoids which are known to posses medicinal and insect larvicidal properties. Larvicidal effect of 2^nd 4^th instar larvae of mosquito species Aedesaegypti have been investigated for 24hrs with 1mg/ml concentration of extracts of selected parts of Carica papaya. The results clearly indicated that there is a significant variation among the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the selected parts of the plant. The seed extracts are observed as effective larvicide than other selected parts of Carica papaya.