Bioactivity of essential oils of Zingiber officinalis and Achyranthes aspera against mosquitoes

Abstract

Due to the global health problems associated with mosquito-borne diseases, over two million people primarily in the tropical countries are at risk. The widely and commonly used chemical method though effective, has some major disadvantages making insect control practically difficult. In view of the above, it is unavoidable to search for new molecules, which are eco-friendly, cheaper, and safer. The present study deals with evaluation of bioactive potential of two commonly occurring plants against mosquitoes presenting an alternative to the conventional chemical methods. Essential oils extracted by steam distillation from rhizome of Zingiber officinalis and leaf and stem of Achyranthes aspera were evaluated for larvicidal, attractant/repellent, and oviposition attractant/deterrent activity against two mosquito species viz. Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The highest larvicidal activity, i.e., LC(50) = 154 ppm and LC(50) = 197 ppm for A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively was shown by Z. officinalis. This oil also offers 5-h protection at the concentration of 0.5 mg/cm² from both mosquito species. The highest oviposition deterrence activity was exhibited by A. aspera stem oil, i.e., 100% and 85.71%, in case of A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively, at the concentration of 0.1%. These results reveal that both these oils have control potential against A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus.

Essential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Saussurea lappa roots against the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…They are generally recognized as safe by the US Food and Drug Administration. It is acknowledged that many essential oils and compounds derived from various essential oils can exert toxic activity against mosquito species (Araujo et al 2003;Amer and Mehlhorn 2006;Bhat and Kempraj 2009;Gu et al 2009;Pavela et al 2009;Conti et al 2010;Koliopoulos et al 2010;Elango et al 2011;Khandagle et al 2011;Pitarokili et al 2011;Shwetha and Chandrashekar 2011). During our mass screening program for new agrochemicals from the wild plants, essential oil of Saussurea lappa C.B.Clarke (Syn.…”

Isolation and efficacy of entomopathogenic fungus (Metarhizium anisopliae) for the control of Aedes albopictus Skuse larvae: suspected dengue vector in Pakistan

“…The adverse effects of synthetic chemical insecticides in the environment have received wide public concern [7] . Over the last five decades, many problems have been resulted due to the misuse of synthetic insecticides in Agriculture and Public Health Programs, viz.…”

Adulticide effect of Monticalia greenmaniana (Asteraceae) against Lutzomyia migonei (Diptera: Psychodidae)

“…The results of this paper present a better adulticide activity for M. greenmaniana essential oil in comparison with metanolic and aqueous extracts. There have been just few studies regarding botanical products that have revealed the adulticide effect against sandflies in comparison with mosquitoes (Amóra et al 2009;Pandey et al 2009;Khandagle et al 2011;Pitarokili et al 2011;Prophiro et al 2012). This is probably due to the difficulties of maintenance and availability of sandfly colonies (Yaghoobi-Ershadi et al 2006).…”