Mosquito larvicidal and ovicidal activity of Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn. (family: Sapindaceae) leaf extract against Culex quinquefasciatus (Say.) and Aedes aegypti (Linn.) (Diptera: Culicidae).

OBJECTIVE To investigate the larvicidal and ovicidal efficacy of different extracts of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. against Culex quinquefasciatus Say and Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae). MATERIALS AND METHODS Larvicidal efficacy of the crude leaf extracts of Cardiospermum halicacabum with five different solvents like benzene, hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and chloroform was tested against the early third instar larvae of Culex (C.) quinquefasciatus and Aedes (A.) aegypti. The ovicidal activity was determined against two mosquito species to various concentrations ranging from 100-600 ppm under the laboratory conditions. RESULTS The benzene, hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and chloroform leaf extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum was found to be more effective against C. quinquefasciatus than A. aegypti. The LC50 values were 174.24, 193.31, 183.36, 150.44, 154.95 ppm and 182.51, 200.02, 192.31, 156.80, 164.54 ppm respectively. Among five solvent tested the methanol and benzene crude extract was found to be most effective for ovicidal activity against two mosquito species. The extract of methanol and benzene exerted 100% mortality at 300 ppm against C quinquefasciatus. A. aegypti attained the complete ovicidal activity at 400 ppm for the extract of methanol only. CONCLUSIONS From the results it can be concluded the crude extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum was a potential for controlling C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti mosquitoes.