Abstract
Vector control is a major issue mainly in this time when resistance to chemical insecticides leads to a greater problem. For an alternative measure novel botanical sources can be used as a good insecticide with less toxic hazards to the environment and public health. The present study estimated larvicidal activities of the crude and solvent extracts of Ravenala madagascariensis against the filarial vector Culex quienquefasciatus under laboratory conditions. Crude extracts of R. madagascariensis mature leaves were examined for larvicidal activity against all the larval instars (1 st to 4 th ) of Cx. quienquefasciatus. Solvent extraction was carried out using three different solvents viz. petroleum ether, chloroform: methanol (1:1 v/v) and absolute alcohol. Dose dependent mortality assays were performed using the bioactive fractions of the solvent extracts. Further, determinations of LC 50 and LC 90 values were accomplished through log-probit analyses and regression analyses. The larvicidal activity of R. madagascariensis leaves were statistically justified through ANOVA analyses. Effects of the bio-active portion were examined on the non-target water fauna. After 72 h of exposure 78.67% mortality of 1 st instars larvae was recorded at 0.5% concentration of crude extract. 150 ppm concentration of solvent extract showed 100% mortality against 1 st instars larvae after 72 h of exposure. 200 ppm concentration was responsible for 100% mortality of 2 nd instars larvae in 72 h. 250 ppm concentration showed significant mortality against 3 rd and 4 th instars larvae. Chironomus circumdatus larvae, non target organism, exhibited no significant mortality. This experimental study was an initiative to ascertain R. madagascariensis as a novel resource of target specific larvicide against Cx. quienquefasciatus larvae. Key words: Ravenala madagascariensis, Culex quienquefasciatus, non-target organisms, larvicide
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