Synergistic Larvicidal Potential of Neem Leaf Aqueous Extract and Common Salt Against Aedes Aegypti Linnaeus
Amneet Kaur , Devinder Kaur Kocher
Department of Zoology, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, Punjab (India)
Corresponding Author Email: dkocher2002@pau.edu
DOI : https://doi.org/10.61739/TBF.2023.12.2.426
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Abstract
The transmission of dengue virus by the Aedes aegypti mosquito is a serious global concern. Neem leaf aqueous extract (NLAE) was prepared and tested for its larvicidal potential against Ae. aegypti 3rd/4th instars @ 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 % and 4% NLAE was found to be the effective larvicidal concentration. Nine different combinations of NLAE and common salt (NaCl) obtained with the help of response surface methodology (RSM) were tested under laboratory conditions and two combinations having NLAE + common salt @ 2+0.5% and 1+0.25% were found to be the effective ones which were further tested under simulated conditions. The best effective combination obtained after a simulated trial having NLAE + common salt @ 2+0.5% showed larvicidal retention efficacy up to 7 days determined for two consecutive seasons. The effective concentration of NLAE either alone or in combination with common salt showed morphological changes like darkening of anal segments, loss of body hairs, and extensive swelling of the thorax and the alimentary canal leading to larval mortality. Thus, such synergistic formulations may prove to have a good potential for their usage as eco-friendly bio-larvicides against Ae. aegypti.