Evaluation of mosquito larvicidal efficacy of leaf extract of a cactus plant, Agave sisalana

Abstract

The leaf extract of Agave sisalana was tested as a larvicide against three vector mosquito species viz., Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. Preliminary results showed that the 2% dilution of the leaf extract produced 100% mortality of IIIrd instar larvae of An. stephensi and 1% dilution produced 100% mortality in case of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti. For further bioassays, the LC50 value of dried crude, methanol and petroleum ether extracts of Ag. sisalana leaves were determined against IIIrd/IVth instar larvae of An. stephensi, Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti and these values were 75, 86 & 76 ppm; 36, 82 & 220 ppm and 27, 51 & 31 ppm, respectively. The present study revealed that Ag. sisalana leaf extract possess larvicidal activity against Cx. quinquefasciatus, Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi and can be exploited for their control under integrated approach of vector control.