Journal of Vector Borne Diseases (Sep 2010)
The potential of the extracts of Tagetes minuta Linnaeus (Asteraceae), Acalypha fruticosa Forssk (Euphorbiaceae) and Tarchonanthus camphoratus L. (Compositae) against Phlebotomus duboscqi Neveu Lemaire (Diptera: Psychodidae), the vector for Leishmania major Yakimoff and Schokhor
Abstract
Background & objectives: Harmful effects of synthetic chemical insecticides including vectorresistance, environmental pollution and health hazards have necessitated the current significancein the search for plant-based insecticide products that are environmentally safe and effective toleishmaniases control. The insecticidal activity of Tagetes minuta Linnaeus (Asteraceae), Acalyphafruticosa Forssk (Euphorbiaceae) and Tarchonanthus camphoratus L. (Compositae) extracts wereinvestigated against Phlebotomus duboscqi Neveu Lemaire (Diptera: Psychodidae).Methods: The extracts were prepared from dried aerial parts soaked in methanol and ethyl acetatetwice until the filtrates became clear, filtered and dried out by rotary evaporation at 30–35oC. Thesolid extracts obtained were later prepared into 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml. Two millilitres of the solutionswere blotted on filter papers, which were dried overnight and placed into jars where adult sandflieswere aspirated. Males and females were assayed separately.Results & conclusion: The extracts had significant mortality (p<0.05) in both males and femalesbioassays but were not significantly different between sexes. The extracts of Acalypha fruticosaand Tagetes minuta had significantly higher mortality rates than those of Tarchonanthuscamphoratus and the different concentrations used showed significantly different mortality ratesand 10 mg/ml was the most effective concentration. Cent percent mortality was obtained at 96 hof exposure to 5 and 10 mg/ml concentrations except for Tarchonanthus camphoratus which had amortality of only 46.7% in 10 mg/ml bioassay. These extracts were found to be insecticidal to adultsandflies.
