Phagodeterrence, larvicidal and oviposition deterrence activity of Tragia involucrata L. (Euphorbiaceae) root extractives against vector of lymphatic filariasis Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate phagodeterrence or biting deterrence, larvicidal and oviposition deterrence activity of Tragia involucrata (T. involucrata) root extractives against Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus). MethodsPhagodeterrence test was done using five different solvents namely petroleum ether, benzene:ethyl acetate (1:1 v/v), chloroform:methanol (1:1 v/v), acetone and absolute alcohol against the females of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Effective deterrence was recorded. The larvicidal bioassay was performed by solvent extractives of T. involucrata roots against 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instars larval forms of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Mortality rates were recorded after 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure followed by justification of LC50 and LC90 values at different concentrations. Finally, the larvicidal assay was ended up by recording the health belongings of non-target water fauna. Oviposition deterrence activity of root extractives was examined against the gravid females of Cx. quinquefasciatus. ResultsAbout 92.85% phagodeterrence was noticed at the level of 4% of chloroform:methanol (1:1 v/v) for the very 1st hour of exposure. Entire larval populations of 1st and 2nd instars were subjected to diminution following the treatment of 0.4% and 0.5% of benzene:ethyl acetate (1:1 v/v) root extractives respectively. While 92.33% and 78.33% mortality were recorded for 3rd and 4th instars larval forms respectively. Mean effective oviposition deterrence was found to be 97.85% at 2.5% concentration level of chloroform:methanol (1:1 v/v) root extractives. ConclusionsThis study is a pioneer attempt to establish phagodeterrence, larvicidal and oviposition deterrence activity of T. involucrata root extractive.