Larvicidal effects of Calotropis procera leaf extracts against Aedes aegypti (L), vector of dengue fever

Abstract

Leaf extracts of Calotropis procera were tested against late third instar larvae of Aedes aegypti mosquito. Soxhlet extraction of the dried leaves powder with polar and non-polar solvents (water, ethanol, hexane and acetone) was carried out. Larvicidal effects of plant extracts were observed after 24h of exposure. The control group showed no mortality. Ethanolic extract was found more toxic with LC50 1.923 ppm and LC90 8.83 ppm followed by aqueous extract (LC50 2.607 ppm and LC90 11.903 ppm), acetone extract (LC50 4.1 ppm and LC90 16.471 ppm) and hexane extract (LC50 5.364 ppm and LC90 31.759 ppm). As the ethanolic extract of C. procera leaves showed significant larvicidal properties, it can be used as an eco-friendly alternative for the control of Ae. aegypti vector.