Abstract

The aim of this work was to compare larvicidal activity of insecticidal plants against malaria vector mosquito Anopheles stephensi. The larvicidal activity of Lantana camara Linn. and Bauhinia racemosa Lam., extracted in petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate were tested against mosquito larvae of A. stephensi. Late third or early fourth instar larvae were used for the screening. These extracts were used for determining the larvicidal activity using World Health Organization (WHO) method for evaluation of new larvicidal agents. The petroleum ether extract of L. camara showed highest larvicidal activity in comparison to petroleum ether extract of B. racemosa, and ethyl acetate extract of B. racemosa showed highest larvicidal activity in comparison to chloroform extract of L. camara against the mosquito vector A. stephensi. No mortality was observed in control. The result suggests the use of the plants in insect control as an alternative method for minimizing the noxious effect of some pesticide compounds on the environment. Thus, the extracts of whole plant of L. camara Linn. and leaf extracts of B. racemosa Lam. may deliver promising, more selective and biodegradable agents.

Key words: Lantana camara, Bauhinia racemosa, Anopheles stephensi.