The larvicidal efficacy of Poinsettia leaf extract on Culex quinquefasciatus

Abstract

Botanical plant extracts used as larvicides have shown good knockdown qualities and have at the same time eliminated the resistance factor present in chemical insecticides. In this biological activity-guided study, leaves of Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) were assayed for their larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus. A 20% concentration dosage was formulated using distilled water as solvent. A static assay test for the larvicidal efficacy of Poinsettia leaf extract was conducted with late-third and early-fourth instar larvae. Exposure of the Culex larvae to the aqueous solution exhibited 100% mortality within 24 hours. Physical deformities observed on the tested larvae were attributed to extract toxicity.