Larvicidal and Antifeedant Activities of Different Extracts from Leaves and Stems of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) Against the Housefly, Musca domestica L.

Abstract

The journal of Toxicology and pest control is one of the series issued twice by the Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, and is devoted to publication of original papers related to the interaction between insects and their environment. The goal of the journal is to advance the scientific understanding of mechanisms of toxicity. Emphasis will be placed on toxic effects observed at relevant exposures, which have direct impact on safety evaluation and risk assessment. The journal therefore welcomes papers on biology ranging from molecular and cell biology, biochemistry and physiology to ecology and environment, also systematics, microbiology, toxicology, hydrobiology, radiobiology and biotechnology. www.eajbs.eg.net Provided for non-commercial research and education use. Not for reproduction, distribution or commercial use. The effect of ethanolic, acetone and petroleum ether extracts from leaves and stems of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) on some biological aspects of the house fly, Musca domestica L were tested. All extracts showed moderate to high toxic effects on M. domestica larvae; however, the petroleum ether extract from leaves and stems were more toxic than acetone and ethanolic extracts. The effect of the extracts on the larval and pupal duration, pupal mortality, adult emergence (%) and growth index of M. domestica were determined. The antifeedant and repellent activities of the present plant extracts varied depending on solvent, plant parts used in extraction and the dose of extract. The petroleum ether extraction from leaves and stems of L. camara was more effective in exhibiting antifeedant and repellent activity against M. domestica as compared with the acetone and ethanol extractions. These results may provide an opportunity to develop alternatives to costly organic pesticides with some available cheap plants which are usually safe to the environment and to other living organisms.