The Biological Role of Cymbopogon proximus Leaf Extracts against the Malaria Vector, Anopheles pharoensis

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Due to the increased insecticide resistance, control of mosquito vector encounters a number of major difficulties. In this respect, searching for new compounds from nature for their insecticidal activities may offer an effective tool for mosquito vector control. In this study the biological activity, reproductive potential, and repellency effect of methanolic, aqueous, and petroleum ether extracts of C. proximus against the malaria mosquito, An. pharoensis was evaluated. Based on LC50 values, the toxicity may be arranged as the following: petroleum ether extract (LC50 = 200.1ppm) > methanol extract (LC50 = 216.1ppm) > aqueous extract (LC50 = 848.6ppm). The biological activities were significantly (P<0.01) affected by different tested extracts, especially at higher concentrations. The female fecundity and the egg-hatchability were remarkably decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the repellency percentages were influenced by tested extracts at any concentration used and the highest repellent action was recorded for methanol extract followed by petroleum ether extract. In conclusion, these findings may contribute insight into the possibility of a novel insecticidal development for use in mosquito control programs.

Keywords

Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology
Volume 11, Issue 6
December 2018
Pages 63-76

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