PAN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES
e-ISSN: 2672-5924
Volume 10, No. 1, April 2026
Pages 654-659
DOI: 10.36108/pajols/6202/01.0130
Laboratory-based evaluation of larvicidal potential of six plant extracts against larval stages of Anophelines and culicine mosquitoes in Abeokuta, Nigeria
Olufunmilayo A. Idowu1*, Olumide C. Philip1, Ayodele S. Babalola2, Idris O. Otun1, Jumoke K. Fawole1, Opeyemi M. Mudasiru3, Nofisat Lawal1
1Malaria research unit, Department of Pure and Applied Zoology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
2Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
3Department of Pure and Applied Botany, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Abstract
Background: Mosquito-borne diseases remain a major global public health challenge. In Nigeria, Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex mosquitoes transmit several parasitic and arboviral diseases. Vector control strategies such as long-lasting insecti-cidal nets (LLINs) and larval source management (LSM) using larvicides are widely employed. However, growing concerns about the environmental and health impacts of synthetic larvicides have spurred interest in eco-friendly, plant-based alterna-tives. This study evaluated the larvicidal efficacy of crude aqueous extracts from six plant species against mosquito larvae.
Methods: Crude aqueous extracts of six plants (Polyscias balfouriana, Bougainvillea x buttiana, Acalypha wilkesiana (tricolor), Acalypha wilkesiana (marginata), Codiaeum variegatum, and Duranta erecta) were tested against third and fourth-instar larvae of Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex mosquitoes collected from Odeda Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nige-ria. Two concentrations (0.25 g/ml and 0.50 g/ml) were prepared and tested in four replicates. Larval mortality was recorded after 24 hours according to the WHO larvicide testing guidelines. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Larval mortality increased with extract concentration across all treatments. The aqueous extract of P. bal-fouriana produced the highest larvicidal activity against Anopheles larvae, achieving 100% mortality at 0.50 g/ml, while D. erecta produced 98% mortality at the same concentration (p < 0.05). At the lower concentration (0.25 g/ml), P. balfouriana also demonstrated strong activity with 61% mortality after 24 hours. Among Culicine mosquitoes (Aedes and Culex), D. erecta showed the highest efficacy, producing 84% mortality at 0.50 g/ml and 56% mortality at 0.25 g/ml (p < 0.05). In con-trast, the extracts of B. x buttiana, A. wilkesiana (tricolor), A. wilkesiana (marginata), and C. variegatum showed compara-tively lower larvicidal activity, generally producing mortality values below 60%. No mortality was observed in the control group.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that aqueous extracts of Polyscias balfouriana and Duranta erecta possess strong larvicidal activity against mosquito larvae. These plants are widely available in Nigeria and may serve as environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic larvicides for small-scale larval source management programs.
Keywords: Larvicidal, Plant extracts, Mosquito larvae, Nigeria