Evaluation of Larvicidal Efficacy of Acetone Leaf Extracts of Annona reticulata Linn. Against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

The present study was designed to examine the larvicidal property of acetone leaf extracts of Annona reticulata L. ( A. reticulata ), (family: Annonaceae) against 1 st to 4 th instars larvae of three dreadful mosquitoes namely Aedes aegypti L., 1762 ( Ae. aegypti ), Anopheles stephensi Liston, 1901 ( An. stephensi ) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 ( Cx. quinquefasciatus ). Cent percent mortality was observed at 12 ppm concentration in 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd instars larvae of Ae. Aegypti , where as 9 ppm concentration showed 100% mortality in 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd instars larvae of An. stephensi after 72 h of exposure. At 6 ppm concentration, 100% mortality was observed in 1 st instar larvae after 24 h of exposure and in 2 nd and 3 rd instars larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus after 48 h of exposure. In the 72 h bioassay experiment, LC 50 and LC 90 values progressively decreased with the increase in exposure period, having the lowest values at 72 h of exposure. Among the three mosquitoes, Cx. quinquefasciatus proved to be most susceptible to acetone leaf extract of A. reticulata . Some non target organisms were found to be non-responsive to the bioactive extract when exposed. So, acetone leaf extract of A. reticulata was proved to be an efficient larvicidal agent against 3 important vectors like Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefasciatus .