Abstract

LARVICIDE AND GROWTH RETARDING ACTIVITY OF ALKALOIDAL EXTRACT OF TWO PLANTS TOWARDS AEDES AEGYPTI (DIPETRA: CULICIDAE)

Saroj Bapna*, Raksha R Shinde, Trupti Satvaker, Mira Ramaiya

Abstract

The crude alkaloidal extract from leaves of Ricinus cummunis L. (family: Euphorbiaceae) and Argemone Mexicana L. (family: Papaveraceae) were evaluated for larvicidal and growth inhibitory activity against Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. The extracts of both the plants demonstrated promising larvicidal activity and prolonged larval and pupal period with an overall increase in the development period of mosquito life cycle. A. Mexicana affected moulting of larva into pupa and reduced adult emergence as compared to R. Communis extract. Growth index was considerably reduced with extract concentrations (500 ppm and 1000 ppm) as compared to control signifying its antijuvenile activity. The results thus indicates that both larvicidal and growth inhibiting potential of alkaloidal extracts from leaves could be used as promising mosquito control strategy particularly in view of continuing problem with resistance to synthetic insecticides and environmental pollution.

Keywords: Aedes aegypti, Ricinus communis, Argemone Mexicana, Temphose.