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Mosquito larvicidal activity of leaf and seed extracts of Lantana camara on
Aedes aegypti
Keywords:
Aedes aegypti, Lantana camara, toxicity, hatchability, development time.
ABSTRACT:


Background and Objectives: This paper reports the toxicity of Lantana camara to
developmental stages of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Aqueous extracts
of leaf and seed of the plant were also tested for their effect on the hatchability of
mosquito egg and age at pupation and emergence.
Methods: Different concentrations of aqueous leaf and seed extract were prepared.
The data of mortality rate were subjected to finneys method of probit analysis. The
plant was also tested for their effect on the hatchability of mosquito eggs.
Results: Percent log LC
50
/ 24 h values of the leaf and seed extracts of L. camara to
IV instar larvae were 2.25 and 2.25 respectively. Percent hatchability of mosquito eggs
was remarkably reduced when treated with higher concentration of the toxicants.
Extended time of pupation and emergence was observed for the larvae reared in
different concentrations of the plant extract.
Conclusion: The results suggested that leaf and seed extract of Lantana camera
possessed remarkable larvicidal, ovicidal, and prolonged time of pupation and adult
emergence against Aedes aegypti.
040-047 | JRAS | 2012 | Vol 1 | No 2
Ficus Publishers.
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Journal of Research in
Animal Sciences
An International Open Access Online
Research Journal
Authors:
Sathya K
2
, Mohanraj RS
1
,
Dhanakkodi B
2
.


Institution:
1. Department of Zoology,
Government Arts college
(Autonomous)
Coimbatore - 641 018,
Tamil Nadu, India.

2. Department of Zoology,
Kongunadu Arts and Science
College (Autonomous)
Coimbatore - 641 029,
Tamil Nadu, India.


Corresponding author:
Mohanraj RS.


Email:
mohanphd2007@gmail.com








Web Address:
http://ficuspublishers.com/
documents/AS0013.pdf

Dates:
Received: 12 Sep 2012 Accepted: 01 Oct 2012 Published: 29 Oct 2012
Article Citation:
Sathya K, Mohanraj RS, Dhanakkodi B

.
Mosquito larvicidal activity of leaf and seed extracts of Lantana camara on
Aedes aegypti.
Journal of Research in Animal Sciences (2012) 1(2): 040-047
Journal of Research in Animal Sciences
An International Online Open Access
Publication group
Original Research
INTRODUCTION
Mosquitoes are the prominent vectors of human
diseases viz., Malaria, yellow fever, dengue, filariasis
and encephalitis (Lymio et al., 1992; Rawlins and Wan,
1995). Among the different species of mosquitoes,
individuals of genus Aedes are considered highly
dangerous because, these show more dependency on
human blood (Scott et al., 1993) and breed in artificial
containers like discarded automobile tires, flower vases,
tin cans, Jars, unused water closets, cisterns and the like
in and around human habitations (Barrera, 1996).
Aedes aegypti is the potential vector of dengue and
yellow fever (Mazzarri and Georghiou, 1995). A severe
out break of dengue with 16 death has been reported in
Tamil Nadu (The Hindu, 2001). In October, 2006, a total
of 5,710 cases were recorded in India. Delhi had the
highest number (1,737) of patients. Tamil Nadu had
307 patients, 103 deaths were also reported (The Hindu,
2006). In 2012 total of 3,000 cases and 50 deaths were
reports in Madurai, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari
districts (Tamil Nadu) (The Hindu, 2012). Recently out
break of chikungunya has become the talk of the world.
According to central health secretary of India, in 2006,
13 lakh people affected by this disease. In Tamil Nadu
alone 63,000 persons were affected by this disease
(The Hindu, 2006). So, priority must be given to the
control of the mosquitoes for the protection of public
health.
Many control strategies for mosquitoes have
been suggested since ancient times. Physical control is
one of the method by which the physical nature of
environment is changed to reduce breeding of
mosquitoes. Physical control measures include digging
ditches; grading or filling low areas, laying tile etc.
Although these measures are expected to provide
effective mosquito control, the problem is that they are
relatively expensive and must be cooperatively carried
out by landowners, the public and government agencies.

Use of synthetic pesticides is still the most
convenient method all over the world. However,
extensive and indiscriminate use of these pesticides
caused environmental contamination and showed
unwarranted effects on non-target beneficial organism as
well as on human beings (Selvaraj Pandian et al., 1994).
These serious effects arising due to the use of synthetic
chemicals indicate the need for considering alternative
control measures for mosquito.
In recent years, scientists try a variety of
botanical derivatives to eradicate many harmful insect
pests including mosquitoes. Some of the plant products
tested for their insecticidal properties on the medically
and economically important mosquitoes are : Cake
powders of linseed, mustard, castor, mahuana
(Bowry et al., 1984); aqueous, petroleum ether extracts
of Carica papaya, Nerium indicum (Evans and Raj,
1988); steam distilled oils of marigold, Tagetes patula
(Green et al., 1991); methanol and acetone extracts of
Mentha piperita (Selvaraj Pandian et al., 1994);
petroleum ether extracts of Karanja seeds and
Garlic bulbs (Das et al., 1995); oils of Acorus calamus,
Cedrus deodara, Eucalyptus sp., Pongamia glabra,
Se s a mum i ndi c u m, Ri c i n u s c o mmuni s ,
Madhuca longifolia, Zanthoxylum limonella (fruits)
Citrus aurantifolia (leaf) (Vrushali, 2001;); fruits of
Piper longum (Yang et al., 2002); Crude extract of
Celery, Apium graveolens (Choochote et al., 2004);
aqueous extracts of long pepper (Piper retrofractum)
(Chansang et al., 2005); aqueous leaves extracts of
Lepidagathis alopecuroides (Obomanu et al., 2006) and
leaf extract of Ageratina adenophora (Rajmohan and
Ramaswamy, 2007). Insecticidal activity of neem has
been reported (Mohanraj and Dhanakkodi, 2007, 2008);
aqueous extract of neem leaves (Arunpandiyan, 2011);
methanolic extract of Acalypha alnifolia leaves
(Kovendan et al., 2012).


041 Journal of Research in Animal Sciences (2012) 1(2): 040-047
Sathya et al.,2012
Prohit et al., (1989) demonstrated that plant
products are easily biodegradable, eco-friendly and they
leave no poisonous residues.
Lantana camara (Family: Verbenaceae),
commonly called unnichedi in Tamil is a large shrub
found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It
is completely adapted to varied conditions of soil in
India. Chemical constituents of the whole or different
parts of this plant are pentacyclic triterpenoids,
oxosteroidlanncamarone, triterpene-lantanolic acid and
lantic acid.
Though, the plants are widely distributed in
India, Tamil Nadu in particular, easily accessible and
extensively used for medical purpose, investigations on
their insecticidal properties are scanty, while neem which
was known for its medicinal properties but later on
exploited as pesticide could not be left unnoticed at this
juncture. Very few preliminary studies have been so far
carried out, to evaluate the toxicity and repellency of
Lantana camara (Seyoum et al., 2002; Dua et al., 2003).
It is therefore desirable to study multitargeted
effects of these plants on insect pests, mosquitoes in
particular.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Animal
Different larval stages of the yellow fever
mosquito, Aedes aegypti were used as experimental
animals in the present study. Eggs of Aedes mosquitoes
were first collected. They were hatched and reared in the
laboratory. The adults were identified and maintained in
cages for generations. The larvae obtained from this
stock were used for different experiments.
Test Compounds
Powdered leaf and seed of plants
Lantana camara which are locally called Unnichedi in
Tamil were used as test compounds in the present study.
Preparation of water extracts of plant parts
Leaf and seed were carefully collected from the
plant and air dried under shade. The dried leaf and seed
were pounded with mortar and pestle to a course powder.
The powder was stored in clean containers until further
use.
A known quantity of the leaf/seed powder of
plant was taken in a container with 200 ml of filtered
unchlorinated water, stirred well and kept for 24 h. The
mixture was again stirred well and filtered through
Whatman No. 1 filter paper. The filtrate was used as
experimental medium in which larvae were reared for
experimental purposes. The amount of powder taken at a
time was in proportion to the concentration of the
medium required. For example, one percent of test
medium of either leaf or seed of Lantana camara was
prepared by dissolving 2 gm of the powder in 200 ml of
water according to the method adopted for preparing of
neem water extracts by Mourier (1997); Mohanraj and
Dhanakkodi (2005).
Test for toxicity of plant extracts
Different concentrations of the test compounds
were prepared using unchlorinated water as described
earlier. Batches of 20 larvae were exposed to 200 ml of a
particular concentration of the test solution. Mortality
rates of larvae were recorded after 24 h. Five or more
concentrations of a test compound recorded between 0 to
100% mortality of larvae at IV instar stage were tested.
Two replicates were done at each concentration. The data
of mortality rate were subjected to Finney's method of
probit analysis as detailed by Regupathy and Dhamu
(1990), toxicity was expressed in terms of LC
50
(Median
Lethal Concentration).
Test for the effect of plant extracts on hatchability of
A. aegypti eggs
Fresh eggs of A. aegypti were placed in media
treated with different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0% and
1.5%) of leaf and seed extracts of the test plant and
control as fifty eggs each. Eggs/egg shells were collected
from each container after 96 h from the commencement
of the experiment and the number of hatched and
Journal of Research in Animal Sciences (2012) 1(2): 040-047 042
Sathya et al.,2012
unhatched eggs were recorded. The eggs which found
broken were counted as hatched and those found
complete were considered as unhatched. The time
(96 h) was fixed, because it was demonstrated that the
completion of embryogeny occurs with in four days
(Judson and Gojrati, 1967). The experiment was repeated
thrice. The data were statistically examined using
student t test.
Determination of effect of plant (leaf / seed) extracts
on the development time of A. aegypti
Three batches of first instar larvae as 50 each of
A. aegypti, were introduced into the media of particular
concentration of the test extracts. They were maintained
with fish food ad libitum until all surviving larvae
pupated. The pupae were also allowed to emerge as
adults. The medium was replaced with freshly prepared
test solutions every alternate day. Number of larvae
completed ecdysis i.e., conversion from one instar stage
to the subsequent one, was recorded every 24 h till
emergence. The daily record of mortality among the
larvae reared in each concentration of the plant extract
and control was maintained. Accordingly the percentage
of larvae pupated and emerged into adults and mean time
required for pupation and emergence was calculated
(Sagar and Sehgal, 1997). The data were statistically
examined using student t test.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Toxicity of Lantana camara to different larval stages
of A. aegypti
Log LC
50
/ 24 h values of leaf extracts of
Lantana camara to the IV instar larvae of the mosquito
was 2.25 (LL-2.22 and UL - 2.28) and that of the seed
extract it was 2.25 (LL-2.19 and UL-2.31), respectively.
(Fig 1and 2).

Sathya et al.,2012
Concentration No. of eggs introduced No. of eggs hatched % hatch Per cent reduction over control
Control 50 40.33 1.25 80.66 -
0.5% 50 40 0.82 80 0.82
1% 50 30 0.82 60 25.6
1.5% 50 18.33 1.25 36.66* 54.55
* Significantly different (P < 0.01) from that of control
Table 1 Change in the hatchability of Aedes aegypti eggs treated with
different concentrations of leaf extract of Lantana camara and control.
043 Journal of Research in Animal Sciences (2012) 1(2): 040-047
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
P
r
o
b
i
t

o
f

M
o
r
t
a
l
i
t
y
Log dose
Fig 1 Probit regression line for the toxicity of
Lantana camara (leaf) on fourth instar larvae of
Aedes aegypti
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
P
r
o
b
i
t

o
f

M
o
r
t
a
l
i
t
y
Log dose
Fig 2 Probit regression line for the toxicity of
Lantana camara (seed) on fourth instar larvae of
Aedes aegypti
Fig 1 r value =0.478 slope=24 Fig. r value=0.758 slope=38
Effect of the plant extracts on hatchability of
A. aegypti eggs
Percent hatch of the mosquito eggs in control
medium was 80.66. This was reduced to 36.66 and 8 for
the eggs exposed to 1.5% of leaf and seed extracts of
L. camara (Tables 1and 2).
Effect of Leaf and seed extracts of Lantana camara on
mean age at pupation and emergence of A. aegypti
Larvae of A. aegypti reared in control medium
pupated at 132.67 h (5.5 days) and adults emerged at
184.67 h (7.6 days). Leaf and seed extracts of L. camara
prolonged the period of pupation and adult emergence.
Mosquito larvae reared in the leaf extract (1.5%) of
L. camara completed pupation in about 176 h
(7 days) and those developed in a similar concentration
of seed extract attained pupation at 196.3 h (8.2 days)
(Fig. 3 and 4). This was significantly different (p < 0.01)
from that of the control.
In the present study, leaf & seed extracts of
L.camara showed notable toxic effect on fourth instar
larvae of A.. aegypti. The log median lethal concentration
(Log LC
50
/ 24 h) of leaf and seed extracts of L. camara
was 2.25 respectively.
Though exact comparisons are not available, due
to differences in the methods of the experimental set up,
reports of Dua et al., (1996) and Seyoum et.al., 2002 on
insecticidal properties of L. camara may be quoted in
support of the present observation.
Leaf and seed extracts of L. camara as observed
in the present study, showed ovicidal effect on the eggs
of A. aegypti. Percent hatching of eggs placed in control
medium (filtered tap water) was 80.66. This was reduced
to a considerable level of 36.66 and 8 when treated with
1.5% of the plant extracts.
Reduction in the hatching of eggs from
lepidopteran and hymenopteran insects on treatment with
aqueous extracts of plant derivatives such as black
pepper, neem seed and garlic bulb was recorded by
Ekesi (2000). It was opined that chemicals synonym to
insect growth regulators diffuse into eggs and effect vital
Journal of Research in Animal Sciences (2012) 1(2): 040-047 044
Sathya et al.,2012
Concentration No. of eggs introduced No. of eggs hatched % hatch Per cent reduction over control
Control 50 40.33 1.25 80.66 -
0.5% 50 35 0.82 70 13.22
1% 50 7 0.82 14 82.6
1.5% 50 4 0.82 8* 90.1
Table 2 Change in the hatchability of Aedes aegypti eggs treated with
different concentrations of seed extract of Lantana camara and control.
* Significantly different (P < 0.01) from that of control
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Control 0.50% 1% 1.50%
H
o
u
r
s
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
D
a
y
s
Mean age at pupation (hours) Mean age at Emergence (hours)
Mean age at pupation (Days) Mean age at Emergence (Days)
Fig 3 Change in development time of Aedes aegypti
larvae reared in different concentrations of leaf
extract of Lantana camara and control
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Control 0.50% 1% 1.50%
H
o
u
r
s
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
D
a
y
s
Mean age at pupation (hours) Mean age at Emergence (hours)
Mean age at pupation (Days) Mean age at Emergence (Days)
Fig 4 Change in development time of Aedes aegypti
larvae reared in different concentrations of seed
extract of Lantana camara and controls


physiological and biochemical processes associated with
embryonic development, there by inhibiting eclosion of
eggs (Boradbent and Pree, 1984).
Crude water extracts obtained from leaf and seed
of L. camara were found to prolong the larval period of
A. aegypti and thus delay pupation and emergence. Mean
age at pupation for the larvae reared in control medium
was 132.67 h. This was extended to 176, 196.3 h in
larvae exposed to the media (1.5%) of leaf and seed
extracts of L. camara, respectively. The prolonged
life-span of aquatic larvae was described as a
consequence of low feeding rate (Pandian and
Madhavan, 1974).

CONCLUSION
The finding of the present investigation revealed
that aqueous leaf and seed extract has good toxic,
ovicidal and prolong the larval period of A. aegypti and
thus delay pupation and emergence.

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