Larvicidal activity of plants from Myrtaceae against Aedes aegypti L. and Simulium pertinax Kollar (Diptera)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Despite their widespread usage, synthetic insecticides and larvicides are harmful for controlling disease-causing mosquitoes owing to the development of resistance. The leaves of Eugenia astringens , Myrrhinium atropurpureum , and Neomitranthes obscura were collected from Marambaia and Grumari restingas. The safety and larvicidal efficacy of their extracts were tested against Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti L. and Simulium (Chirostilbia) pertinax Kollar. METHODS: The dry leaves were subjected to static maceration extraction using 90% methanol. A. aegypti and S. pertinax larvae were exposed to 7.5, 12.5, and 25.0 µL/mL of the extracts (n= 30). The larvicidal activity after 24 h and 48 h, and the mortality, were determined. The median lethal concentration (CL 50 ) was estimated by a Finney's probit model. RESULTS: M. atropurpureum and E. astringens extracts exhibited the strongest larvicidal effects against A. aegypti . M. atropurpureum extracts (25 µL/mL) caused mortalities of over 50% and 100% after 24 h and 48 h, respectively (CL 50 = 11.10 and 9.68 ppm, respectively). E. astringens extracts (25 µL/mL) caused mortalities of 50% and 63.33% after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. High concentrations of N. obscura extracts induced a maximum mortality of 46.66% in A. aegypti larvae after 48 h (CL 50 = 25 ppm). The larvae of S. pertinax showed 100% mortality following exposure to all the plant extracts at all the tested concentrations after 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: The extracts of M. atropurpuerum exhibited the strongest larvicidal activity against A. aegypti . The larvae of S. pertinax were sensitive to all the extracts at all the tested concentrations.

Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of the essential oil of Pimenta dioica leaves

“…Another important point is that this study is in line with previous studies (Neves et al, 2017;Carneiro et al, 2021) which has reported on the larvicidal activity of plants of the family Myrtaceae.…”

Plant volatiles from the Brazilian restinga with bactericidal activity against multiresistant bacteria

“…Data revealed that Eugenia astringens, "araponga" and "abajiru" are abundant in restingas and display gastro-protective activity by significant inhibition of ulcer formation. Also, the aerial parts are widely used in folk medicine to treat infections, inflammation, diabetes and P á g i n a | 600 parasites (Kneip, 2009;Meyre-Silva et al, 2009;Carneiro et al, 2021). Eugenia arenaria, popular names "pintagaí-uma" and "camboi", and Myrrhinum atropurpureum, also known as "pau-ferro", "carrapato" and "murtilo", are endemic to the restingas of Rio de Janeiro.…”