Comparative analysis of larvicidal activity of three Different fruit extracts against aedes aegypti

Abstract

Mosquitoes transmit serious human diseases, causing millions of deaths every year and the development of resistance to chemical insecticides resulting in rebounding vectorial capacity. And it cause adverse environmental effects in addition to high cost. Plants may be alternative sources of mosquito control agents. Aedes aegypti, yellow fever causing mosquito is a vector for transmitting several tropical fevers. It spreads dengue, chikungunya, zika fever, and other diseases. Currently no vaccines or drugs are developed to prevent dengue, zika, and chikungunya. The plan of present study was to analyse the larvicidal efficacy of fruit extracts of Carica papaya; Citrullus lanatus; and Mangifera indica against the larvae of Aedes aegypti. In the present study, larvicidal efficacy of different concentrations of Carica papaya; Mangifera indica; and Citrullus lanatus were evaluated for studying the mortality of Aedes aegypti. Present study revealed that fruit extract of Carica papaya shows much more effect in larvicidal activity of Aedes aegypti. Comparatively less activity showed by extract of Citrullus lanatus and no or little activity by extract of Mangifera indica. Different concentrations shows different activities. Higher concentrations shows relative high larvicidal activity. Combinations of extracts shows much more larvicidal activity. Of these, combination of Carica papaya and Citrullus lanatus shows better larvicidal activity, and other two combinations (Citrullus lanatus + Mangifera indica ; and Carica papaya+ Mangifera indica) showed less activity, it may due to the resistant larvicidal activity of Mangifera indica. As there is no vaccine for dengue , the only primary way to control the disease causing agent by natural ways. Our study revealed that fruit extract of Carica papaya and its combination with extract of Citrullus lanatus is a well ,powerful and cost effective biopesticide for the control of mosquitoes.