Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake (Myrtales: Myrtaceae): Natural alternative for mosquito control

Abstract

Objective To evaluate an essential oil with larvicide, adulticide and growth inhibitory activity against Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, of medical importance. Methods Standardized methodology by WHO was used to determine the levels of susceptibility of mosquito larvae exposed to the essential oil. To evaluate the adulticide activity with the essential oil at different doses, bottles were impregnated according to the methodology CDC. To determine the development inhibitory activity of Melaleuca quinquenervia (M. quinquenervia) oil in three mosquito species, third instar larvae were exposed to the LC50 and LC90 dose (calculated for each population) of M. quinquenervia oil in glass containers with a capacity of 500 mL. After 24 h exposure, the dead larvae were discarded. The mortality of larvae and pupae were recorded on a daily basis. Results The calculated LC50 indicates an order of effectiveness of preferential oil for Culex quinquefasciatus (LC50 = 0.002 1%), Aedes aegypti (LC50 = 0.004 7%) and Aedes albopictus (LC50 = 0.004 9%). Conclusions The adulticide activity was achieved with impregnated bottles at 40 and 50 mg/mL with the three mosquitoes species. In larvae, a growth inhibition was detected when exposed to sublethal doses. The results indicate that M. quinquenervia is a plant with promising environmentally sustainable source for vector control.