Vol. 8, Issue 6, Part A (2021)

Author(s): Parul, SP Singh and Lalit Mohan

Abstract: Mosquitoes are responsible for causing millions of deaths annually by transmitting dengue, malaria, lymphatic filariasis, chikungunya, etc. Plant-derived insecticides may serve as a suitable alternative for managing these nuisance-creating vectors. The objective of the present study was to find out the bioefficacy of essential oil from Cinnamomum tamala leaves against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus. The essential oil was extracted from the fresh leaves by the hydrodistillation method and different oil concentrations were applied against the 3rd instar larvae of the mosquito species. The bioassay results showed different responses between the species. The essential oil showed higher efficacy as a larvicidal agent against Culex quinquefasciatus (LC₅₀ = 52.9 and LC₉₀ = 147.5 ppm after 24 hrs and LC₅₀ = 30.5 and LC₉₀ = 81.7 ppm after 48 hrs. of exposure), Aedes aegypti (LC₅₀ = 65.1 and LC₉₀= 239.3 ppm after 24hrs, LC₅₀ = 34.2 and LC₉₀ = 111.6 ppm after 48 hrs. of exposure) and Anopheles stephensi (LC₅₀ = 85.6 and LC₉₀= 235.7 ppm after 24 hrs. and LC₅₀= 53.6 and LC₉₀ = 145.6 ppm 48 hrs. of exposure) respectively. Therefore, it can be inferred that the essential oil derived from Cinnamomum tamala leaves exhibits larvicidal potentiality which could further be used in mosquito larval management.