Comparative Larvicidal Efficacy of Leaf and Stem Extracts of Jatropha Curcas Plant, against the Mosquito Vector of Filariasis, Culex pipiens pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the larviciding efficacy of stems and leaves extract of Jatropha curcas against larval stage of the Culex pipiens pipiens mosquito. Methanolic extracts of the plant material were prepared and bio assayed aga inst the larvae as per standard World Health Organization’s (WHO) procedures. The larvae were exposed to a series o f concentrations of the extracts ranging from 0.25 3.75 mg/l; and mortality recorded post 24 hours exposure. The results showed that larval mortality increased significantly (P< with increasing in extracts concentration. Mortality ranged from 2.00 1.40% in the lowest leaf extract concentration (i.e., 0.25 mg/l) to 96 in the highest ( 3.75 mg/l ). Generally, mortalities were relatively h igher among larvae exposed to stem extract than that of leaf. Probit regression analysis of the mortality data gave LC 50 and LC 90 of the leaf extract as 2.65 and 3.45 mg/l respectively; while those of the stem were 2.33 and 3.25 mg/l respectively. These results indicate that the stem extract of J. curcas, in particular, is a potential source of a mosquito larviciding lead agent, and its further exploitation should agent, and its further exploitation should fast track the development of a cost effective larvicide for integrated mosquito vector control.