Repellent Activity of Some Essential Oils AgainstSimuliumSpecies in India

Abstract

Use of repellents seems to be most reliable method of personal protection against annoyance and infections associated with haematophagous insects. We have investigated the biting activity of Simulium and tested the repellency of five essential oils extracted from Homalomena aromatica Schott (Alismatales: Araceae), Pogostemon heyneanus Bentham (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), Citrus aurantifolia Swingle (Sapindales: Rutaceae), Vitex negundo L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), and Ageratum conzoides L. (Asterales: Asteraceae) on the human volunteers against Simulium (blackflies) in three locations of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Blackflies preferred biting legs (> 79%) as compared to hand and face with profound biting activity during 1000–1100 h (> 23%) and 1500 – 1600 h (> 28%). The essential oil extracted from Homalomena aromatica, Vitex negundo and Ageratum conizoides provided > 2 h protection at 5% concentration and > 5 h protection at 10% concentration in all the three testing locations. The repellency of Homalomena aromatica, Vitex negundo and Ageratum conizoides essential oils after 6 h application was > 50% at 5% concentration and > 90% at 10% concentration. The study provides evidence for the potential of these essential oils in developing new repellents against blackflies.

Angelica sinensis (Umbelliferae) with proven repellent properties against Aedes aegypti, the primary dengue fever vector in Thailand

“…This outcome was not surprising, due to the selection of plants being based only on botanical and pharmacological data, without support from antimosquito information because of the extensive search required for new repellents from various plants. However, Sesamum orientale and L. aromatica were recorded herein for the first time as repellents against A. aegypti, with complete protection times of 0.5 and 1.0 h, respectively, while the other effective products were reported previously as having repellency against mosquitoes and other arthropods (Kamalakannan et al 2011;Evergetis et al 2012;Hazarika et al 2012;Mehmood et al 2012;Rehman et al 2014). Furthermore, the highest repellency was established from both A. sinensis products that belong to the family, Umbelliferae (Apiaceae), of which members such as Apium graveolens, Kaempferia galanga, and Ligusticum sinense are endowed with repellent properties (Choochote et al 2007;Tuetun et al 2009;Evergetis et al 2012;Sanghong et al 2014).…”

Ultra low concentration deltamethrin loaded patch development and evaluation of its repellency against dengue vector Aedes (S) albopictus

“…albopictus received considerable attention in India after recent reports indicating its potential role in disease transmission in various parts of the country [ 2 , 4 - 6 ]. Use of repellents as personal protection measures against the insect bites is the most accepted method to control insect vector borne diseases currently [ 7 - 9 ]. Many of the mosquito repellents, though available in the market and advertised to be effective repellents, are unpleasant and ineffective in repelling the mosquitoes [ 10 ].…”

Synergistic mosquito-repellent activity of Curcuma longa, Pogostemon heyneanus and Zanthoxylum limonella essential oils

“…Plant-derived insect repellent agents are selective, have few or no harmful effects on non-target organisms or the environment and can be applied to human skin and clothing in the same manner as commercial repellents [19][20][21][22]. Many extracts and volatile oils that are highly volatile, such as alkanes, terpenoids, alcohols and aldehydes, are repellent to mosquitoes for periods ranging from 15 min to 10 h [21][22][23].…”

“…Many extracts and volatile oils that are highly volatile, such as alkanes, terpenoids, alcohols and aldehydes, are repellent to mosquitoes for periods ranging from 15 min to 10 h [21][22][23]. Although essential oils could be an alternative source for mosquito repellents, their efficacies and practical use are limited by their lower persistence on the applied surface.…”