Larvicidal activity of essential oil of Etlingera fenzlii (Kurz) Skronick. & M. Sabu (Zingiberaceae) - The honey bee repellent endemic plant species of the Andaman Nicobar Islands

Abstract

Etlingera fenzlii (Kurz) Skronick. & M. Sabu (Zingiberaceae), is an endemic species of the Andaman Nicobar Islands which is exclusively used by the Shompens as a bee repellent for honey collection. The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of leaves of E. fenzlii and the volatile constituents of leaves have proved to be effective eco-friendly and possess varying degrees of insect/ pest controlling properties. The present study was focussed on the role of larvicidal activities of the essential oil of E. fenzlii against Aedes aegypti. Larvicidal study was carried out employing WHO standard method and the mortality was observed after 24 h exposure. Larvicidal tests were carried out with the essential oil concentration ranges from 5-50 ppm. Essential oil treatment had higher mortality as compared to control with LC50 value of 11.22 ppm. From the results, it is evident that E. fenzlii can be considered as effective larvicide, signifying an ecofriendly method for the control of mosquito vectors.