TOXICITY OF TARENNA ASIATICA (L.) KUNTZE EX K. (SCHUM) ON MOSQUITO PUPAE

Abstract

Mosquitoes are highly populated vectors adapted to different socioeconomic environment has established its strength to transmit various diseases; therefore to control its population using a rigorous mosquito vector control programme is essential. Plant extracts can be potentially used to control mosquitoes. The plant Tarenna asiatica has been known to have medicinal use and reported to exhibit anti microbial activity, hence the insecticidal activity of this plant was studied. The plant extracts were prepared using solvents such as ethyl acetate, chloroform and hexane and each solvent extracts were used for the pupicidal assay at different concentrations. It has exhibited maximum toxicity at 400ppm of ethyl acetate followed by hexane and chloroform extracts to pupae of three mosquito species such as Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Aedes aegypti. The LC values indicate that 50% mortality can be achieved between 40.7ppm to 60.2 ppm among three solvent extract for three mosquito species.