Toxicological and behavioural potency of different plant extracts on Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and their qualitative phytochemical analysis

Abstract

Control of Asian tiger mosquito is very crucial for newly established areas. Botanically based insecticides could be used more as alternative biocontrol agents in the future. The ethyl acetate extracts of some plants naturally growing in Turkey were analysed for potential oviposition deterrent, ovicidal, and skin repellent activities against Aedes albopictus. According to the determined oviposition activity index and per cent effective repellence of these plant extracts at constant concentration in the first week, the most effective result belonged to Salvia verticillata (-0.9942 and 99.7%, respectively). In these trials for four weeks, the best persistence belonged to Matricaria chamomilla. In addition to this test, the ovicidal activities and skin repellent activities for the same plant extracts were determined. Qualitative phytochemical analyses of all plants were performed and showed that alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, quinones, tannins, phenols and carbohydrates were present in varying proportions in all plants. All of evidence showed that the plant extracts could be used as potential oviposition deterrents, ovicides and repellents against Aedes albopictus.