Larvicidal efficacy of leaf extracts of Heliotropium Indicum and Mukia maderaspatana against the dengue fever mosquito vector Aedes aegypti

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is a vector of dengue fever, which is a public health problem in the world. During epidemics, emphasis is laid on the use of insecticides for controlling mosquitoes. The application of easily degradable plant compounds is considered to be one of the safest methods to control insect pests and vectors as an alternative to synthetic pesticides. A study was made to monitor the effect of plant extract, Heliotropium indicum and Mukia maderaspatana, on different larval instars and pupae of mosquito vector of A. aegypti. Bio-assay was performed using the solvent acetone to find out the median lethal concentration. The study indicated that essential compounds were the only chemical used for the control of mosquito larvae while extract was used as the control of adult mosquitoes. The results suggest a potential utilization of the extracts of these two plant species for the control of A. aegypti.