ASSESSMENT OF larvicidal PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF FOUR PLANTS Against Culex quinquefasciatus LARVAE

Aqueous extracts of four plants were tested in a laboratory for larvicidal properties against the most serious vector of filariasis and avian malaria, Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae). The endeavour is to further explore the use of natural insecticides in integrated vector management programmes to control larvae of Culex. Laboratory reared larvae were exposed to 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ppm concentrations of the extracts of Azadirachta indica Juss., Gymnema sylvestre R.Br., Nerium indicum Mill and Datura metel L. respectively in Zoology research laboratory of D.A-V Degree College, Kanpur, India. Larvicidal assays were conducted according to standard WHO procedure 1981. Result showed that the plant A. indica elicited 70-99% mortality, followed by G. sylvestre 44-89%, N. indicum 41-74% and D. metel elicited 19-54% mortality to larvae. The extracts of A. indica and G. sylvestre were found to be significantly effective in controlling Culex larvae. The results indicate that the natural insecticides could be taken in the place of synthetic insecticides and save our environment from chemical hazards.