Vol. 12, Issue 5, Part A (2025)

Mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya, represent a significant global health threat, causing millions of deaths annually. Conventional control methods often rely on synthetic insecticides, which can lead to vector resistance, environmental contamination, and adverse effects on non-target organisms. This study investigates the potential of locally sourced botanicals as eco-friendly larvicides.
The larvicidal efficacy of aqueous extracts from Neem (Azadirachta indica), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), and Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), collected from the Bidar University campus, was evaluated against third to fourth instar mosquito larvae. Bioassays were conducted using 10%, 15%, and 20% concentrations of each extract, with larval mortality recorded at intervals up to 72 hours.
All extracts demonstrated dose-dependent larvicidal activity. The highest efficacy was observed in Piper nigrum and Azadirachta indica extracts. At 20% concentration, P. nigrum extract induced 100% larval mortality within 48 hours, while A. indica extract achieved 96.66% mortality in the same period, reaching 100% at 72 hours. O. tenuiflorum extract showed comparatively moderate efficacy. These findings suggest that extracts of Piper nigrum and Azadirachta indica are potent botanical agents with significant potential for development into sustainable, biodegradable larvicides, offering a viable and environmentally safe alternative for mosquito vector control.