Evaluation of larvicidal action of natural extracts on mosquito larvae of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Mosquitoes are known to cause more diseases than any other group of arthropods and affect millions of people throughout the world. The current study was aimed to investigate larvicidal potential of three natural extracts such as aloe vera and onion, alcohol and cloves, marigold and garlic against the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti. Insecticidal susceptibility tests were carried out using WHO standard method and the mortality was observed after 24-h exposure. All the tested extracts showed moderate to good larvicidal activities. However, the maximum larval mortality was observed in the extract of the alcohol and cloves that showed high efficacy on the Aedes mosquito larva. The findings of the present studies suggested that the use of aloe vera, onion and garlic has a strong effect in acting as a mosquito larvicide and the natural plant extracts can be prepared at home and used at any cost of time which is feasible for the masses.