Evaluation of Extract from Sweet Flag Rhizome for Biological Activity against House Fly

Abstract

The problem of house fly has become more acute everywhere especially in poultry and piggery farms. They act as potential vector for many viral, bacterial, helminthic and protozoan diseases and as nuisance pests. The control of fly is very much effected by the use of synthetic organic insecticides. These drugs, even though efficacious, can be detrimental to the mankind and environment and also lead to the development of resistance. Hence, in the present study, the larvicidal and adulticidal effect of Vasambu ( Acorus calamus) were evaluated against the housefly. For larvicidal evaluation, the test drug, Vasambu at different concentrations (1 per cent, 2 per cent, 3 per cent and 4 per cent) was sprayed on the dung sample containing 100 number of 3rd instar larvae of house fly. The larvae were observed daily for the development of pupae and subsequent emergence of adult fly. Lowest fly emergence (Highest mortality of larvae) was observed in 4 per cent and 3 per cent treatment groups and they differed highly significantly (P<0.01) with rest of the groups. There is no significant difference between 4 and 3 per cent treated groups and between the 1 per cent, 2 per cent and control groups. For adulticidal effect, Vasambu at different concentrations (2, 4 and 6 per cent) were used as bait (consisting of rice bran, jaggery and Vasambu). Fifty number of house fly pupae were placed in a fly rearing chamber. Immediately after the emergence of the first fly, the Vasambu bait was kept inside the fly rearing chamber and observed daily for the mortality. Highest fly mortality was observed in bait incorporated with 6 per cent concentration and it differed significantly (P<0.05) with control and 2 per cent treated treatment groups. However, there is no significant difference between 6 per cent and 4 per cent treatment groups and between 4 per cent, 2 per cent and control groups.