Ovicidal and Larvicidal Activities of n-hexane Extract of Murraya paniculata (L.) Leaves against Aedes aegypti

Aims: Aedes aegypti is a widely distributed mosquito and the primary vector of several arboviral diseases attracting major global health concerns. This laboratory study accessed the ovicidal and larvicidal activities of n-hexane extract of Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack leaves on eggs and first instar larvae of Aedes aegypti.

Study Design: Conventional bioassay,

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Zoology, ETF Laboratory and Central research laboratory, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-araba, between February and July 2021.

Methodology: Eggs and larvae were exposed to various quantities of test plant extract ranging from 20ppm to 80ppm for 72 hours at ambient laboratory temperature(30\(\pm\)0.570c). Probit analyses and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.

Results: Results revealed that the plant extract recorded the highest ovicidal activity of 61% at 80 ppm concentration against the eggs of Aedes aegypti, after 72 hours. The LC50 values of ovicidal and larvicidal activities at 72hrs were 85.162ppm and 80.270ppm respectively, there was a significant difference between the ovicidal and larvicidal activity of each concentration while mortality increased with increasing concentration.

Conclusion: The results suggest that n-hexane extract of M. paniculata can be used as an environmentally friendly method for the control of Aedes aegypti.