International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences

Volume (4) - Issue (6), 2019 pp 258-263

Title

Repellent property of plants against mosquitoes in field conditions by traditional method

Author

Samuel, T., Kalarani, A., Vinodha, V., Arivoli, S., Selvakumar, S., Meeran, M. and Syedalifathima, A.

Abstract

Repellent property of plants, viz., Azadirachta indica, Calotropis gigantea, Coriandrum sativum, Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha spicata, Murraya koenigii, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Phyllanthus acidus, Ricinus communis and Vitex negundo were studied under natural conditions in the field making use of the traditional knowledge as background. The study area was selected based on assessment of mosquito density irrespective of species in natural/domestic habitats. Field observations were undertaken in houses wherein dried powdered leaves of each plant were burned on glowing charcoal which produced smoke and acted as a repellent mosquitocide. Overall results indicated that among the plants utilized, the order of highest repellence with protection time was observed in Mentha spicata (12 hours) < Ocimum tenuiflorum < Ricinus communis (11 hours) < Azadirachta indica < Coriandrum sativum < Vitex negundo (10 hours) < Calotropis gigantea (9 hours) < Eucalyptus globulus (8 hours) < Phyllanthus acidus (7 hours) < Murraya koenigii (6 hours). Besides these, the incidence of mosquito bites significantly reduced after usage of plant products. It may be concluded that natural products from plants of insecticidal and medicinal values have higher efficiency in reducing mosquito menace due to their repellent toxicity. Further studies on the in-depth field bioassays are needed as the present study indicated the scope to use local plants to control and repel mosquitoes.

Keywords

Mosquitoes, Plants, Repellent Property, Traditional method.

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Article History

Received on 05/11/2019, Accepted on 08/12/2019, Published on 22/12/2019