Evaluation of larvicidal potential of Azadirachta indica (Neem) plant extract and synthesized AgNPs against Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Aedes mosquitoes are the most important group of vectors having ability to cause diseases like Chikungunya fever, Dengue fever and Zika virus in human. These vectors can efficiently and ecofriendly be controlled by using green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). In the present study, leaves extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from this extract were evaluated as larvicidal agent for 2 nd and 3 rd instar larvae of the Aedes aegypti ( main mosquito vectors). UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study