LARVICIDAL ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF NERIUM OLEANDER (APOCYNACEAE) RED COLOURED FLOWERS AGAINST AEDES AEGYPTI, ANOPHELES STEPHENSI AND CULEX QUINQUEFASCIATUS (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)

Abstract

Larvicidal activity of various solvent extracts of Nerium oleander red colored flower was studied against third instar larvae of three important vector mosquitoes viz., Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was done to all the solvent extracts showed the presence of Tannins, saponins, flavonoids, quinones, terpenes, phenols and coumarines are present in the red colour flowers extracts. Among the solvent extracts acetone extract was most effective when compared to other extracts. Cx. quinquefasciatus was the most susceptible (LC50=20.4 mg/L) and An. stephensi was the most tolerant (LC50=34.0 mg/L). Also, the extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis and 16 major biochemicals were detected. The present study clearly indicated that bioactive molecules present in the acetone extract of red color flower of N. oleander are promising botanical pesticide against vector mosquitoes.