LARVICIDAL AND PUPICIDAL ACTION OF KITCHEN USED PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST Culex MOSQUITO (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)

Current research is conducted to test the efficacy of essential oils extracted from some common plants that are mainly used in kitchen as a larvicidal and pupicidal agent against Culex mosquitoes. Oil extraction was done from parts (leaves, branches and rhizome) with Soxhlet’s apparatus using petroleum ether as a solvent. The knockdown effect was checked after 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours with different concentrations (50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm) along with a control treatment. The data was analysed by Probit analysis to calculate LC 50 & LT 50 . The results showed that the early larval instars (1 st & 2 nd ) were more susceptible than later ones (pupae). Ginger oil was more potent after 12 and 24 h against all life stages (2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th instar larvae & pupae ) due to lowest LC 50 values (171 & 136 ppm, 183 & 174 ppm, 246 & 199 ppm and 273 & 217 ppm for 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th instar larvae & pupae respectively) followed by peppermint, basil, garlic and neem. However, basil oil released its components after 24 and 48 h and became effective more than others. So, we can use these oils in combination for the better management of mosquitoes.