Effects of Peganum harmala L. Seed Extract on Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases result in the loss of life and economy, primarily in subtropical and tropical countries, and the emerging resistance to insecticides is increasing this threat. Botanical insecticides are promising substitutes for synthetic insecticides. This study evaluated the larvicidal and growth index of Culex pipiens of four solvent extracts of Terminalia chebula, Aloe perryi, and Peganum harmala against Cx. pipiens. None of the 12 extracts exhibited larvicidal potential against third instars except the ethyl acetate extract of P. harmala. After 24 h of exposure, the LC50 value was 314.88 ppm, and the LC90 value was 464.19 ppm. At 320 ppm, the hatchability was 25.83%, and it resulted in 100% mortality. In addition, the eggs treated with the EtOAc extract of P. Harmala exhibited a long larval period compared with the control. The larval period continued for 12 days, and the pupal period took three days in the treatment groups. The growth index data also exhibited a decrease (0.00–7.53) in the treated groups compare with 8.5 in the control. The transformation of eggs into adults decreased with increasing concentrations. This paper is the first report on the development and growth index of Cx. pipiens potential using P. harmala seeds.

Control of the Khapra Beetle Trogoderma granarium (Everts.) (Coleoptera : Dermastidae) using Nanoparticles of Neem Leaf Extract

“…They may be in the form of powders, oils, or plant extracts, and all these forms contain chemicals with biological activity that are an alternative to the action of chemical compounds [21,22]. Confirmed [23] There are more than 2000 species of plants that have an effect on insects in general, and these plants have received wide interest from researchers to extract their active ingredients and use them in insect control [24,25] . Insects do not have the ability to form resistance against plant extracts because these extracts contain many compounds, and these compounds are rapidly degraded and turn into non-toxic substances, unlike manufactured pesticides, which insects resist.…”