Identification of Prevalent Mosquito Species and Larvicidal Activity of Indigenous Plant Extracts from Tirunelveli District, Against Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823

To investigate the prevalence of Mosquito species in breeding habitats 5 villages were selected by random sampling method in Tirunelveli District. A survey was carried out between Sep 2019 to Feb 2020 in houses and peridomestic areas. The larvae were identified by using taxonomic keys. The larvicidal activity of different plant aqueous extracts made on evaluating mosquito larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. The continuous application of synthetic insecticides causes development of resistance in vector species, biological magnification of toxic substances through the food chain and adverse effects on environmental quality and non-target organisms including human health. These problems necessitated the need to explore and develop alternative strategies using eco-friendly, environmentally safe, biodegradable plant products which are non-toxic to non-target organisms too. In view of this 8 plant species were collected from local areas of Tirunelveli. Aqueous extracts obtained from Momordica cymbalaria, enicostema axillare, senna alexandrina, Aerva lanata, Alternanthera sessilis, Ammania buccifera, Aristolochea bracteata and Cassia nigricans were used for evaluating larvicidal activity. The mortality rate of mosquito larvae were calculated. The selected plants of them two extracts of plants producing strong larvicidal activity. Further investigations would be needed to isolate and identify the prime component responsible for the larvicidal efficiency.

A. Yesu Rani*1 and P. Vanitha Pappa2 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 05-Aug-2022