MOSQUITOCIDAL PROPERTIES OF PLECTRANTHUS AMBOINICUS OIL TESTED AGAINST THE IMPORTANT THREE HUMAN VECTOR MOSQUITOES (DIPTERA:CULICIDAE)

In the present investigation, Plectranthus amboinicus leaves were collected, shade dried, powdered and oil was extracted using Clevenger apparatus. P. amboinicus oil was tested for its larvicidal activity, ovicidal activity and pupicidal activity against the fourth instar larvae, freshly laid eggs and pupae of Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi and C. quinquefasciatus. P. amboinicus oil produced significant larvicidal activity against the larvae of Ae. aegypti, followed by An. stephensi and C. quinquefasciatus. In the same way, P. amboinicus oil produced significant ovicidal activity against the freshly laid eggs of Ae. aegypti, followed by An. stephensi and C. quinquefasciatus. Besides, P. amboinicus pupicidal activity was found prominent among the pupae of Ae. aegypti and the trend was followed by An. stephensi and C. quinquefasciatus. Meticulous analyses of the experimental data revealed that P. amboinicus oil can be possibly utilized as an alternate mosquitocidal agent against the important human vector mosquitoes in the future.