Evaluation of the larvicidal potential of root and leaf extracts of Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. against three mosquito vectors:Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The larvicidal potential of Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. was studied against the early 4^th instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi Liston., Aedes aegypti Linn.,and Culex quinquefasciatus Say. because of the emergence of mosquito resistance to conventional synthetic insecticides.

METHODS:

At concentrations of 12.5-200 ppm, larvicidal activities were studied under laboratory conditions.

RESULTS:

After 24 h of exposure, the methanol extract of the roots recorded the highest larvicidal activity against An. stephensi, with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀values of 7.96 and 34.39 ppm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

We are developing potent larvicidal compound(s) from S. costus for controlling the mosquito larval population.

Keywords:
Anopheles stephensi; Aedes aegypti; Culex quinquefasciatus; Saussurea costus; Vectors; Larvicidal activity