Larvicidal Efficacy of Root and Stem Bark Extracts of the Plant, Annona reticulata against Filarial Vector, Culex quinquefasciatus

The present study assessed larvicidal efficacy of different concentrations of chloroform: methanol (v/v 1:1), acetone, and ethanol extracts of root and stem bark of Annona reticulata L. (Annonaceae) against early 3 rd instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 ( Cx. quinquefasciatus ) up to 72 hours. Among all the solvent extracts used, chloroform: methanol (v/v 1:1) root and stem bark extracts of the plant showed highest larvicidal activity. Further, the effect of chloroform: methanol (v/v 1:1) root and stem bark extracts of the plant was investigated on early 1 st – 4 th instars larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus . Early 1 st - 3 rd instars larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus showed 100% mortality with remarkably very low concentrations of chloroform: methanol (v/v 1:1) root and stem bark extracts. Non- target organisms were non responsive to chloroform: methanol (v/v 1:1) solvent root and stem bark extracts. So, chloroform: methanol (v/v 1:1) root as well as stem bark extracts of A. reticulata can effectively be used as potential sources to control Cx. quinquefasciatus population.