Smoke Repellent Action of Eicosatrienoic Acid from Gliricidia sepium against Filarial Vector Mosquitoes: An Experimental Study

Mosquito-transmitted diseases continue to be a major cause of illness and death. Prolonged exposure to the synthetic insecticides may lead to irritation, severe allergic dermatitis, nausea, vomiting, headache and other central nervous system disturbances. In recent years interest in plant-based products has been revived because of the development of resistance, cross-resistance and possible toxicity hazards associated with synthetic insecticides and their rising cost. Due to these circumstances, the effectiveness of 8, 11, 14-eicosatrienoic acid from Gliricidia sepium, in controlling mosquito was studied and found very effective. Also, the effect of the newly found phytochemical on non target organisms was studied and found non-toxic.