Plant diversity for mosquito control: A preliminary study

Authors: Rathy MC, Sajith U and Harilal CC

Mosquitoes adversely affect human health, as they act as vectors for a wide variety of dreadful diseases. Mosquito control is facing a threat due to the emergence of resistance to synthetic insecticides. In this context, phytochemicals have received much attention as potentially useful against mosquitoes. The present study has been outlined to assess the feasibility of using phytochemicals, derived from 36 species of plants, in the control of mosquito vectors belonging to the genera. The efficacy was determined through bioassay method as per WHO guidelines with slight modifications. Mortality percentages and LC₅₀ were calculated after monitoring the treatment sets for a period of 96 hours. Of various plants studied, 29 showed 100% larvicidal activity against the third instar larvae of mosquitoes at varying concentrations of the extract. These plants have the potential to be used as effective larvicides, signifying an ecofriendly approach for the control of mosquito vectors.

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