Excito-repellency effects of Pelargonium roseum wild (Geraniaceae) essential oil-treated bed nets on the malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi Liston, 1901 (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Pelargonium roseum essential oil was used to evaluate the efficiency of excito-repellency activity against Anopheles stephensi Liston, 1901 (Diptera: Culicidae). P. roseum essential oil was used at different concentrations of 25, 50 and 75% (v/v) and the mosquitoes were exposed for an hour. The compound showed 50.5± 2.8%, 65.3± 3.1% and 77± 3.9% entry to exit-trap at concentrations of 25%, 50% and 75% (v/v), respectively. In addition, the mean blood feeding rates for the above concentrations were 11.3, 7.1 and 3 percent. Moreover, survival rates were 49.4± 2.9%, 34.6±3.9% and 23±4.1. 75% concentration of P. roseum was more effective than other concentrations in terms of irritability. Similarly, it was revealed that 25% concentration was clearly less effective. These studies clearly indicated that the populations of malaria vectors can be effectively controlled using P. roseum treated bednets. It seems to be a promising compound for personal protection against An. stephensi.