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Biological Effects of Four Plant Extracts on Culex Quinquefasciatus Say Larval Stages

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Abstract

Acute toxicity tests were conducted to determine the biological effects of partially purified extracts of four different plants on the juveniles of Culex quinquefasciatus. The active ethyl acetate extract of Solanum suratense leaf produced a 24 h LC50 of between 23.53 ppm for the second instars and 46.04 ppm for the third instars. This was followed by the defatted methanol fraction of Abrus precatorius seed coat extract with the LCvalues ranging from 59.82 ppm for the second instar to 77.34 ppm for the third instar. The petroleum ether fraction of Solanum trilobatum and the ethyl acetate fraction of Leucas aspera were less toxic to the larvae. The active fractions of the plant extracts disrupted moulting and metamorphosis, induced malformation, extended the larval duration and inhibited adult emergence. At concentrations of less than 37.64 ppm, they inhibited emergence of 50% of the larvae. The insecticidal activity of these extracts persisted for up to four days.

Résumé

Des testes de toxicité aïgue ont été menés sur des larves de Culex quinquefasciatus, afin de déterminer les effets biologiques des extraits partiellement purifiés de quatre plantes différentes. A la concentration de 23, 53 ppm et de 46, 04 ppm, l’extrait actif à l’acétate d’éthyle obtenu des feuilles de Solanum suratense a respectivement provoqué, en 24 heures, une action létale (DL50), chez les larves du deuxième et troisième stade. Son pouvoir d’action fut suivi par la fraction au methanol dégraissée obtenue du tégument des graines de Abrus precatorius avec des valeurs DL50 de 59, 82 ppm pour le deuxième stade, et de 77, 43 pour le troisième stade de développement larvaire. La fraction d’extraits à l’ether de pétrole de Solanum tribolatum et celle à l’acétate d’éthyle de Leucas aspera étaient moins toxiques pour les larves. Les fractions actives des extraits perturbaient la mue et la métamorphose. Ainsi elles provoquaient la malformation et allongeaient la durée de développement larvaire, et réduisaient aussi le taux d’émergence des adultes. Ces extraits gardaient leur pouvoir insecticide jusqu’à quatre jours.

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Correspondence to J. Muthukrishnan.

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Muthukrishnan, J., Pushfalatha, E. & Kasthuribhai, A. Biological Effects of Four Plant Extracts on Culex Quinquefasciatus Say Larval Stages. Int J Trop Insect Sci 17, 389–394 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400019238

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