title: Repellency and toxicity of aromatic plant extracts against the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae).
abstract: The insecticidal activities of essential oil extracts from leaves, flowers and roots of aromatic plants against fourth-instar larvae of the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus Forskal were determined. Extracts of Foeniculum vulgare Mill were the most toxic, followed by those of Ferula hermonis Boiss, Citrus sinensis Osbeck, Pinus pinea L, Laurus nobilis L and Eucalyptus spp with LC50 values of 24.5, 44.0, 60.0, 75.0, 117.0 and 120.0 mg litre(-1), respectively. Combination tests between the LC50 and the maximum sub-lethal concentration (MSLC) were determined. Over 20 major components were identified in extracts from each plant species tested. Five essential oils and nine pure components were studied for their repellency against mosquito bites. Terpineol and 1,8-cineole were the most effective against Culex pipiens molestus bites offering complete protection for 1.6 and 2 h, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon. abdallah@cyberia.net.lb
authors.forename: Abdallah F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Traboulsi
authors.forename: Samih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El-Haj
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tueni
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taoubi
authors.forename: Natalie Abi
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Nader
authors.forename: Abir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mrad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000502:physiology*; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007302:Insect Repellents; D007306:Insecticides; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts