Larvicidal and chemosterilant activity of the acetone fraction of petroleum ether extract from Argemone mexicana L. seed

The acetone fraction of the petroleum ether extract of seeds from Argemone mexicana L. exhibited larvicidal and growth inhibiting activity against the second instar larvae of Aedes aegypti (Linn). This activity occurred at higher concentrations (200, 100, 50 and 25 ppm). Chemosterilant activity, including reduction in blood meal utilization (27.70%), reduction in fecundity (19.00%), formation of larval–pupal intermediates, formation of pupal–adult intermediates, adult mortality and sterility of first generation eggs (100%), occurred at low concentration (10 ppm).