Repellent action of Cymbopogan martinii martinii Stapf var. sofia oil against mosquitoes

Abstract

Studies were carried out to evaluate the repellent action of Cymbopogan martinii martinii Stapf var. sofia (F. Gramineae) against mosquitoes under field conditions. Results revealed that the oil has strong repellent action and provided absolute protection for 12 h against Anopheles culicifacies, a principal vector of malaria in the country. Similar degree of protection was evident against An. annularis and An. subpictus. The protection against Culex quinquefasciatus, a pest mosquito was 96.3% for 12 h. Results of evaluation in captivity revealed complete protection against this species for 5 h.