Larvicidal Potential of Plumeria acuminata Ait. (“Kalachuchi”) Crude Leaf Extract on the Larvae of Aedes aegypti Linn. (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

The larvicidal potential of kalachuchi aqueous crude leaf extract against Aedes aegypti larvae was investigated. Five concentrations kalachuchi crude leaf extract (50 g¾, 25 g¾, 12.5 g¾, 6.25 g¾, and 3.125 g¾) were used in determining the mean percent mortality of Aedes aegypti larvae after exposure to 48 hours. Each having three trials with three replicates. This study also considered the morphological changes that were observed among the dead larvae. These included darkened or burnt appearance of the larvae, loss of antennae, lack of setae, and misaligned abdominal segments. Probit analysis statistical method (NCSS program) was utilized to determine LC,0 and LC9-0_ The mean percent mortality obtained for 50 g¾, 25 g¾, 12.5 g¾, 6.25 g¾, and 3 .125 g¾ kalachuchi crude leaf extract concentrations were 95.57 g¾, 47.77 g¾, 26.67 g¾, 21.1 g¾, and I I.I g¾, respectively. These data show that there is a progressive increase in the mean percent mortality with increasing concentrations of kalachuchi crude leaf extract concentrations. The values obtained for the lethal concentrations after 48 hours were 17.97 g¾ ± 2.4290 and 82.02 g¾ ± 21.6598 for LC,o and LC90, respectively. Based on the morphological observations and on the LC,o and LC,o values obtained, kalachuchi crude leaf extract has a potential of being a larvicide of Aedes aegypti.