Curcumin/d‐mannitol as photolarvicide: induced delay in larval development time, changes in sex ratio and reduced longevity of Aedes aegypti

Abstract

BACKGROUND Resistant populations of Ae. aegypti have been a major problem in arboviruses epidemic areas, generating a strong demand for novel methods of vector control. In this regard, our group has demonstrated the use of curcumin as an efficient photoactive larvicide to eliminate Ae. aegypti larvae. This work was aimed to evaluate the Ae. aegypti (Rockefeller) development under sublethal conditions, using a curcumin/d‐mannitol (DMC) formulation. The photolarvicidal efficacy under semi‐field and field conditions (wild populations) was also analyzed, as well as the photobleaching and residual activity of DMC. RESULTS A delay in development time when larvae were exposed to sublethal concentrations of DMC was observed, followed by significant changes in sex ratio and reduction in longevity. DMC also presented a low residual activity when compared to usual larvicides, and had a substantial photolarvicidal activity against wild populations in field trials, achieving 71.3% mortality after 48 h. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these findings are of great biological importance for the process of enabling the implementation of DMC as a new product in the control of Ae. aegypti larvae, and contributes to the improvement of new plant‐based larvicides. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry

Effect of Curcuma longa rhizome extract and curcumin against laboratory-reared Aedes Aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae: Alterations of cell ultrastructure and immunoreactivity of octopamine and tyramine in the midgut

“…Aegypti larvae. The findings of this study are under the research of de Souza et al [13] , Mezazacappo et al [29] Ali et al [30] reported that curcumin had higher larvicidal activity against mosquito larvae than the extract of C. longa. De Souza et al [13] in Brazil obtained an LC 50 of 20.0 mg/dL for Ae.…”

“…Aegypti larvae compared with the rhizome extract of C. longa. Mezzacappo et al [29] reported that curcumin showed 71.3% of the mortality rate for Ae. Aegypti larvae.…”

Environmentally Safe Photodynamic Control of Aedes aegypti Using Sunlight-Activated Synthetic Curcumin: Photodegradation, Aquatic Ecotoxicity, and Field Trial

“…Mezzacappo et al also found that curcumin affects the development of Ae. aegypti from larvae to adults, postponing the start of the pupation phase [ 38 ]. SCS formulation and sucrose did not show significant toxicity in the dark, as determined in the laboratory trial.…”

Larvicidal activity of the photosensitive insecticides, methylene blue and rose bengal, in Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes

“…The rapid photodegradation of PSIs is an ecological advantage for these broad‐spectrum insecticides. Due to their photoactivation mechanism, PSIs are toxic to small, translucent aquatic insects 20–26 . However, PSIs are non‐toxic to translucent zebrafish even after light irradiation 27 .…”

“…Under laboratory conditions, the PSIs curcumin, RB, hematoporphyrin and eosin‐MB are toxic to Aedes aegypti larvae, and RB is toxic against Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus 20–23 . PSIs are also toxic to Chaoboridae, which is a dipteran family closely related to mosquitoes 24–26 .…”