Larvicidal Activities of Merremia dissecta (Jacquin) Hallier f. and Peltrophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Backer ex k. Heyne Leaves against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Aim: Aedes aegypti is the principal vector of Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika. The burden of these diseases is typically highest in tropical and subtropical areas, affecting the most impoverished populations. This laboratory study accessed the larvicidal and pupicidal activities of ethanol, methanol, acetone leaf extracts of Merremia dissecta and Peltrophorum pterocarpum against the Ae. aegypti. Study Design: Conventional bioassay. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Zoology, Government Arts College, Coimbatore – 641018, Tamil Nadu, India, between July 2021 July 2022. Methodology: Larvae and pupae were exposed to various concentrations of plant leaf extracts for 24 hrs. at the laboratory. The probit analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: Results revealed that the plant extracts recorded the highest larval mortality at 0.421% and 0.634% ethanol, acetone leaf extracts of M. dissecta; 0.713%. and 0.621% methanol and ethanol leaf extract of P. pterocarpum against fourth instar of Ae. aegypti after 24 hrs. Conclusion: The results suggest that this plant extracts can be used as an good larvicidal and pupicide against the dengue and zika virus vector Ae. aegypti.