Abstract

JURBERG, Pedro; CABRAL NETO, Januário Bispo  and  SCHALL, Virgínia T.. Molluscicide activity of the "Avelós" plant (Euphorbia tirucalli, L. ) on Biomphalaria glabrata, the mollusc vector of schistosomiasis. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz [online]. 1985, vol.80, n.4, pp. 423-427. ISSN 0074-0276.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02761985000400007.

An aqueous solution of the latex of Euphorbia tirucalli collected at sites receiving large amounts of sunlight showed molluscicide action on Biomphalaria glabrata, with LD50 obtained at the concentration of 28,0 ppm and LD90 at the concentration of 85,0 ppm. The toxicity of the product for fish was similar to that of Bayluscide and of copper sulfate used for comparison. However, the wide distribution of the plant, its easy propagation and the simple procedure for extraction of the active substance, which is biodegradable, favor "avelós" as a promising agent in the control of schistosomiasis.

Keywords : Euphorbia tirucalli; molluscicide plant; Biomphalaria glabrata; schistosomiasis control.