Mosquito larvicidal potential of ethanol leaf extract of the plant, Annona reticulata L. against Aedes aegypti L. and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

The larvicidal potential of ethanol leaf extract of Annona reticulata L. (A. reticulata ), ( Annonaceae) was evaluated against 1st - 4th instars larvae of Aedes aegypti L. ( Ae. aegypti ) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say ( Cx. quinquefasciatus ) mosquitoes at 24, 48 and 72 h exposure. The extract was found more effective against Cx. quinquefasciatus than Ae . aegypti larvae and its LC 50 and LC 90 values gradually decreased with increased period of exposure. LC 50 values of the extract recorded after 24 h of exposure were 0.5021, 2.9374, 4.2048, 6.2245 ppm respectively against 1st- 4th larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus and 6.8839, 5.9929, 14.5745, 19.8836 ppm against Ae. aegypti larvae. No mortality and any abnormal behavior up to 72 h post exposure were observed in aquatic non target organisms viz ., Chironomus circumdatus larvae, Diplonychus annulatum  and tadpoles of frog when exposed to 24 h LC50 dose of the extract against 3rd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus . In conclusion, the ethanol leaf extract of A. reticulata exhibited excellent larvicidal activity against Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti mosquitoes.