Larvicidal and pupicidal action of medicinal plant extracts against dengue mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae)

The efficacy of essential oils from some medicinal plants as a larvicidal and pupicidal agent was tested against Aedes albopictus. The oils were extracted from different plant parts (leaves, branches and rhizomes) with Soxhlet apparatus using acetone as a solvent. The mortality was determined after 8, 16, 24 and 48 hours with different concentrations (100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm) along with a control treatment. Data was analysed by Probit analysis to calculate LC₅₀ and LT₅₀. Results revealed that early immature stages were more susceptible than later ones. Ginger was more effective with the lowest LC50 values after 8 and 16 hours against all tested life stages followed by peppermint, basil, eucalyptus and neem. In addition, basil was efficacious after 24 and 48 hours. Therefore, we conclude that these oils can be used in combination for the management of mosquito immature stages.