title: Mosquito larvicidal properties of Ficus benghalensis L. (Family: Moraceae) against Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles and Anopheles subpictus Grassi (Diptera: Culicidae).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the larvicidal efficacy of different solvent leaf extract of Ficus benghalensis (F. benghalensis) against Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Cx. tritaeniorhynchus) and Anopheles subpictus (An. subpictus).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty five early third instar larvae of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and An. subpictus were exposed to various concentrations and were assayed in the laboratory by using the protocol of WHO 2005. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among three solvent extracts tested the maximum efficacy was observed in the methanol extract. The LC(50) and LC(90) values of F. benghalensis against early third instar of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and An. subpictus were 100.88, 159.76 ppm and 56.66, 85.84 ppm, respectively. No mortality was observed in controls. The chi-square values were significant at P<0.05 level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From the results it can be concluded the crude extract of F. benghalensis was an excellent potential for controlling Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and An. subpictus mosquito larvae.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vector Biology and phytochemistry, Department of Zoology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608 002, India. drgovind1979@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Govindarajan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sivakumar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amsath
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Niraimathi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000254:growth & development; D003465:Culex / Q000254:growth & development; D030681:Ficus / Q000737:chemistry*; D007306:Insecticides; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D009032:Mosquito Control; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents