Larvicidal activity of extracts from Artemisia species against Culex pipiens L. mosquito: comparing endemic versus ubiquist species for effectiveness.
The larvicidal activity of ethanolic leaf extracts from two Artemisia species, Artemisia campestris var. glutinosa and A. molinieri, on mosquito Culex pipiens Linnaeus (Diptera, Culicidae) larvae was investigated. Since A. molinieri is a rare and protected species confined to temporary ponds of Southern France, its toxic activity may help to value this species and to finance its conservation. A. molinieri extracts showed a higher larvicidal activity (from 50 ppm (K=9.488, DDL=4, P<0.001)) than those from A. campestris var glutinosa (from 500 ppm (K=9.488, DDL=4, P<0.01)) after 48 h of exposure. Calculated lethal concentrations, after 48 h of exposure, (LC(50)) were low, 9091 and 9898 ppm for A. molinieri and A. campestris var. glutinosa extracts, respectively, but using a non-pollutant solvent (ethanol). However, A. molinieri may be valued as an environmentally friendly biocide and developing its culture may be of interest for both pesticide activity and conservation purpose.
Équipe BBE, Aix-Marseille université,Victor-Hugo, Marseille cedex, France. veronique.masotti@univ-provence.fr
Véronique
V
Masotti
Laetitia
L
De Jong
Xavier
X
Moreau
Jacques
J
Rabier
Isabelle
I
Laffont-Schwob
Alain
A
Thiéry
D000818:Animals; D019306:Artemisia / Q000737:chemistry*; D001681:Biological Assay; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003465:Culex / Q000502:physiology*; D000431:Ethanol; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D012997:Solvents; D013045:Species Specificity
D007306:Insecticides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol