Evaluation of larvicidal activity of the aerial extracts of a medicinal plant, Ammannia baccifera (Linn) against two important species of mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus

To analyze the larvicidal effect of the aerial extracts of Ammannia baccifera on two important mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The larval mortality of fourth instar larvae of A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus after 24h and 48h of treatment were observed separately in control 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 mg/L concentrations of the aerial extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform) of A. baccifera. Based on the probit analysis, the 24h and 48h aerial methanol extract of A. baccifera LC50value of C. quinquefasciatus was found to be in 164.00 mg/L and 107.00 mg/L and LC90values for C. quinquefasciatus was found be in 310.00 and 261.00 mg/L. The 24h and 48h aerial part of methanol extract of A. baccifera LC50value of A. aegypti was found be in 226.00 mg/L and 186.00 mg/L and LC90values was found be in 476.00 and 309.00 mg/L. The results indicate that the A. baccifera could be effectively used for the control of mosquito larvae and the possibility of exploiting for the development of commercial larvicides a plant widely occurring in India.