Larvicidal Potentiality of Root Extracts of <i>Annona reticulata</i> Linn. Against the Filarial Vector <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> Say (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Present study was undertaken to evaluate the mosquito larvicidal potentiality of root extracts of Annona reticulata Linn. ( A. reticulata ), family Annonaceae against filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 ( Cx. quinquefasciatus ). Petroleum ether, hexane, and ethyl acetate root extracts of the plant were examined to established their larvicidal potentiality against 3 rd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquito species. Crude and only ethyl acetate root extracts of the plant at different concentrations were examined on 1 st - 4 th instars larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus . LC 50 value of ethyl acetate extract after 24 h of exposure against 3 rd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus were also examined on some non target organisms. Phytochemical analyses of the root extracts of A, reticulata were also investigated. 100% mortality were noticed at very low concentrations of petroleum ether, hexane, and ethyl acetate root extracts of A. reticulata against 3 rd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus . LC 50 and LC 90 values of ethyl acetate root extract was lower than petroleum ether and hexane root extracts after 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure. Crude and ethyl acetate root extracts showed excellent larvicidal activity against Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquito species. 100% mortality was observed at very low concentration for crude and ethyl acetate root extracts. LC 50 and LC 50 values gradually decreased with time of exposure for crude and ethyl acetate root extracts of A. reticulata . No mortality and sluggishness were observed in control experiments as well as on examined non target organisms. Phytochemical analyses of root extracts of the plant revealed the presence of different secondary metabolites. So crude and ethyl acetate root extracts of A. reticulata can effectively be used for larval mortality against Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquito species at a very low concentration.