Evaluation of larvicidal and pupicidal activity of Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) (Family: Rubiaceae) against three mosquito vectors

Objective: To evaluate the mosquito larvicidal and pupicidal activity against three important\udmedically mosquito vector such as malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi),\uddengue vector, Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) and filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx.\udquinquefasciatus). Methods: Morinda citrifolia (M. citrifolia) leaf was collected in and around\udAlleppy districts, Kerala, India. M. citrifolia leaf was washed with tap water and shade dried\udat room temperature. An electrical blender powdered the dried plant materials (leaves). From\udthe leaf, 1 kg powdered was macerated with 3.0 L of methanol sequentially for a period 72 h and\udfiltered. The crude plant extracts were evaporated to dryness in rotary vacuum evaporator. The\udlarvicidal and pupicidal activity was assayed at various concentrations ranging from (100-500\udppm) under the laboratory as well as field conditions. The LC50 and LC90 value of the M. citrifolia\udleaf extract was determined by Probit analysis. Results: The plant extract showed larvicidal and\udpupicidal effects after 24 and 48 hrs of exposure; All larval instars and pupae have considerably\udmoderate mortality; however, the highest larval and pupal mortality was methanolic extract of\udM. citrifolia observed in three mosquito vectors at 48 h. The LC50 and LC90 of M. citrifolia against\udthe first to fourth instar larvae and pupae against mosquito vectors. An. stephensi had values of\udLC\ud50=146.08, 159.07, 172.16, 185.08 and 202.68 ppm and LC90=322.12, 363.48, 388.56, 436.51 and 513.56\udppm, respectively. The Ae. aegypti had values of LC50=181.27, 210.40, 229.80, 256.73 and 292.01 ppm\udand LC\ud90=407.99, 485.65, 534.14, 624.16 and 756.79 ppm, respectively. The Cx. quinquefasciatus had\udvalues of LC\ud50=226.70, 256.97, 290.05, 316.33 and 358.11 ppm and LC90=560.35, 652.07, 733.03, 797.09\udand 875.25 ppm, respectively at 24 h. Conclusions: The results of the leaf extract of M. citrifolia\udare promising as good larvicidal and pupicidal activity against the mosquito vector, An. stephensi,\udAe. aegypti, Cx. quinquefasciatus. This is a new eco-friendly approach for the control of vector\udcontrol programs. Therefore, this study provides first report on the larvicidal and pupicidal\udactivities against three species of mosquito vectors of this plant extract from India