Abstract
Currently, mosquito control programs primarily rely on the utilization of chemically based insecticides. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the plant Stemodia viscosa Roxb. against the early life stages of Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The larvae, pupae and eggs of the mosquitoes were exposed to four different concentrations (62.5 to 500 ppm). After 120 h of treatment, the hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of S. viscosa exhibited 100% ovicidal activity against the eggs of the treated mosquitoes. The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts showed significant larvicidal activity against all three mosquitoes. The LC50 values of the hexane extract were 272.5, 233.5, 217.9 ppm and the LC50 values of the ethyl acetate extract were 238.6, 230.5 and 169.1 ppm respectively, after 24 h. The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of S. viscosa exhibited promising pupicidal activity with LC50 values of 286.6, 265.3, 257.9 and 192.2, 290.9 and 238.1 ppm, respectively, after 24 h against all three mosquitoes. Additionally, histopathological and growth disruption studies revealed severe damage in the midgut cells of the treated larvae. The suitability index (SI) or predator safety factor (PSF) values indicated that the extracts from S. viscosa could be safely utilized in Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) without harming the predators. Furthermore, formulations based on hexane and ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated strong activity while exhibiting no toxicity towards non-target organisms. The results imply that the extract holds potential as an eco-friendly substitute for synthetic insecticides in mosquito control. However, additional research is required to identify the most potent components of the plant extract to enhance product efficacy and stability.
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The authors sincerely appreciate the support received from the Researchers Supporting Project No. (RSPD2024R728) at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the authors express gratitude to the Xavier Research Foundation, St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai 627002, Tamil Nadu, India, for their valuable research assistance and the provision of laboratory facilities
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Selvakumaran, J., Ragavendran, K., Muthukanagavel, M. et al. Evaluation of mosquitocidal, histopathological and non-target effect of botanical pesticides from Stemodia viscosa and their mixtures against immature stages of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. Biologia 79, 1425–1437 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-024-01633-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-024-01633-5