BIOCIDAL EFFECT OF MEDICINAL PLANT EXTRACTS FOR ECO-FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT OF THE DENGUE FEVER MOSQUITO VECTOR Aedes aegypti

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is a notorious insect spreading dengue fever in human being by acting as a vector. Public health problems due to this vector are present all over the world especially in developing countries of Asia like in Pakistan. Insecticides are commonly applied to suppress it population during epidemics. In advances of integrated pest management the use of less persistence, easily degradable and acceptable toxicological effects regarding to human health are being preferred on synthetic insecticides. This study was planned to monitor the effect of plant extracts, Heliotropium indicum and Mukia maderaspatana, on different larval instars of and pupae of mosquito vector A. aegypti. To find the median lethal concentration bio-assay was performed by using acetone solvent. Research showed that plant extracts were successful to suppress the mosquitoes population while, essential compounds were suitable to control the A. aegypti larvae. Results indicated the potential application of these plant extracts for eco-friendly management of A. aegypti with respect to public health hygiene.