Evaluation of Solanum xanthocarpum extracts as mosquito larvicides

Abstract

Mosquito larvicidal activity of crude carbon-tetra-chloride, methanol and petroleum ether extracts of Solanum xanthocarpum fruits was examined against Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. Among the extracts tested, carbon-tetra-chloride extract was the most effective with LC50 values of 5.11 ppm after 24 hours and 1.27 ppm after 48 hours of treatment against An. stephensi. In the case of Cx. quinquefasciatus the petroleum ether extract was observed as most toxic with LC50 values of 62.62 ppm after 24 hours and 59.45 ppm after 48 hours of exposure period respectively. It is, therefore, suggested that S. xanthocarpum can be applied as an ideal potential larvicide against An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefasciatus.