Oviposition Deterrent and Larvicidal and Pupaecidal Activity of Seven Essential Oils and their Major Components against Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae): Synergism-antagonism Effects.

Sergio Andrade-Ochoa,Daniela Sánchez-Aldana,Alejandro D Camacho,Karla Fabiola Chacón-Vargas,Benjamín Nogueda-Torres,Blanca E Rivera-Chavira,Guadalupe Virginia Nevárez-Moorillón,Luvia E Sánchez-Torres

doi:10.3390/insects9010025

Abstract

The larvicidal activity of essential oils cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl), Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) cumin (Cuminum cyminum Linnaeus), clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry), laurel (Laurus nobilis Linnaeus), Mexican oregano (Lippia berlandieri Schauer) and anise (Pimpinella anisum Linnaeus)) and their major components are tested against larvae and pupae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Third instar larvae and pupae are used for determination of lethality and mortality. Essential oils with more than 90% mortality after a 30-min treatment are evaluated at different time intervals. Of the essential oils tested, anise and Mexican oregano are effective against larvae, with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 4.7 and 6.5 µg/mL, respectively. Anise essential oil and t-anethole are effective against pupae, with LC50 values of 102 and 48.7 µg/mL, respectively. Oregano essential oil and carvacrol also have relevant activities. A kinetic analysis of the larvicidal activity, the oviposition deterrent effect and assays of the effects of the binary mixtures of chemical components are undertaken. Results show that anethole has synergistic effects with other constituents. This same effect is observed for carvacrol and thymol. Limonene shows antagonistic effect with β-pinene. The high larvicidal and pupaecidal activities of essential oils and its components demonstrate that they can be potential substitutes for chemical compounds used in mosquitoes control programs.

Highlights

A large proportion of human population is exposed to infectious diseases spread by mosquitoes, including Culex spp., Anopheles spp. and Aedes spp., which are vectors of parasitic diseases [1].Culex quinquefasciatus Say is a vector of lymphatic filariasis
Culex quinquefasciatus is present in tropical areas, a household pest in many urban settings, and widely reported as a vector resistant to registered insecticides [3]
The essential oils and their main components included in this study showed a high effectiveness with respect to mortality upon exposure of Culex quinquefasciatus larvae to water contaminated with lethal doses (Table 4): in most cases, deaths occurred after short-term exposures

Summary

Introduction

A large proportion of human population is exposed to infectious diseases spread by mosquitoes, including Culex spp., Anopheles spp. and Aedes spp., which are vectors of parasitic diseases [1].Culex quinquefasciatus Say is a vector of lymphatic filariasis. A large proportion of human population is exposed to infectious diseases spread by mosquitoes, including Culex spp., Anopheles spp. and Aedes spp., which are vectors of parasitic diseases [1]. The disease is widely distributed in tropical regions, with around 150 million people infected, ranking filariasis as one of the main causes of global. Culex quinquefasciatus is present in tropical areas, a household pest in many urban settings, and widely reported as a vector resistant to registered insecticides [3]. Tropical areas are more prone to vector-borne parasitic diseases and the risk has increased due to the intensification of globalization [4]. Poor sanitary conditions for water storage intended to household use, as well as unsanitary management of urban solid waste, can increase mosquito populations in urban and rural areas [1]

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