Larvicidal activity of oils, fatty acids, and methyl esters from ripe and unripe fruit of Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae) against the vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

The larvicidal activity of oils, fatty acids, and methyl esters of Solanum lycocarpum fruit against Culex quinquefasciatus is unknown.

METHODS:

The larvicidal activity of samples of ripe and unripe fruit from S. lycocarpum was evaluated against third and fourth instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus .

RESULTS:

The oils, fatty acids, and methyl esters of S. lycocarpum showed the greatest larvicidal effect (57.1-95.0%) at a concentration of 100mg/L (LC ₅₀values between 0.70 and 27.54mg/L).

CONCLUSIONS:

Solanum lycocarpum fruit may be a good source of new natural products with larvicidal activity.

Keywords:
Bioassay; Mosquito; Pesticide