Repellent activity of herbal essential oils against Aedes aegypti (Linn.) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say.)

Mosquitoes are the most important of insects in terms of public health importance which transmit a number of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, filariasis and malaria, causing millions of deaths every year. Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus) are major urban vectors of dengue fever, dengue haemorrhagic fever, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis. Mosquito bites may also cause allergic responses including local skin reactions and systemic reactions such as urticarial. Personal protection is one approach to prevent mosquito bites[1-3]. Most common mosquito repellents available contain N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide or also called DEET that has shown strong protection from mosquitoes. However, it may exert toxic reaction under some circumstances and age groups and damage plastic, synthetic materials, thus the alternative new products need to be explored[4-8]. Plant essential oils in general have been recognized as important natural resources of insecticides because some are selective, biodegrade to non-toxic products and have few effects on non-target organisms and environment[9]. Many research insect repellents derived from plant extract, such as Eucalyptus citriodara (E. citriodara), PEER REVIEW ABSTRACT