Abstract

Objective: To study the ovicidal activity of Ageratum houstonianum (A. houstonianum) leaf extracts against the eggs of vector mosquitoes and to develop additional tools for the control of mosquito-borne diseases. Methods: The ovicidal activity of crude hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol leaf extracts of A. houstonianum were assayed for their toxicity against the eggs of three important vector mosquitoes, viz., Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/L of the crude extract. Results: All extracts showed activity. The minimum concentration at which maximum egg mortality rate of 80% and above obtained was 10.0 mg/L in the case of methanol and ethyl acetate against Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti respectively and 5.0 mg/L in ethyl acetate extract against Culex quinquefasciatus. One hundred per cent egg mortality was obtained only in ethyl acetate extract at 20.0 mg/L against Aedes aegypti. Conclusions: The crude leaf extracts of A. houstonianum did not exhibit potential ovicidal activity against the vector species studied. Among the crude leaf extracts tested, the activity of ethyl acetate extract was more effective. More research on the screening of phytochemicals as a potential ovicidal agent is warranted to add more tools in the control of mosquitoes.

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