Evaluation of essential oil from common medicinal plants against culex quinquefasciatus larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) in pakistan

Abstract

Five essential oils from various parts of plant species E. citriodora, P. harmala, A. indica, C. nucifera and Turpentine were investigated for their larvicidal properties against Culex quinquefasciatus (Say). Twenty late 3 rd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus were collected from the insectaria and exposed to different concentrations of essential oils ranging from 1.95-1000 ppm. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h under the laboratory conditions. Results showed that the highest larvicidal activity was in Turpentine oil against Cx. quinquefasciatus (Say) with the LC50 values 63.8 ppm. However the LC50 values for E. citriodora, P. harmala, A. indica, C. nucifera were 165.51, 85.91, 207.56 and 338.58 ppm, respectively. It was concluded that five essential oils which were distilled from E. citriodora, P. harmala, A. indica, C. nucifera and Turpentine had remarkable larvicidal properties, which may be considered as a potent source for the production of natural larvicides which would be environmentally safe and alternative to synthetic insecticides.