article · Psyche A Journal of Entomology
The Culex pipiens mosquito transmits several viral and parasitic diseases, including West Nile virus. Conventional management relies on synthetic insecticides, but these chemicals can harm the environment and provoke pesticide resistance. To explore plant-based options, essential oils extracted from Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula dentata grown in Morocco were analysed and tested against Culex pipiens larvae following a World Health Organisation standard testing methodology. Chemical profiling revealed that L. angustifolia oil consists primarily of compounds such as linalool and linalyl acetate, whereas L. dentata oil is rich in 1,8-cineole and camphor. Both oils displayed toxic effects on the larvae after twenty-four hours of exposure. L. angustifolia exhibited notably higher potency, with lethal concentrations LC50 and LC90 measured at 140 and 450 microgrammes per millilitre, compared to 2670 and 7400 microgrammes per millilitre for L. dentata.
Culex pipiens mosquitoes spread serious diseases like West Nile virus, but standard synthetic chemical treatments increasingly cause environmental harm and breed resistant insects. Demonstrating that naturally derived lavender essential oils can kill mosquito larvae offers a potential route towards alternative vector control agents that reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides.
This research points to potential applications in formulating botanical larvicides to manage mosquito populations, which could interest public health authorities and biopesticide manufacturers. The work remains at an early laboratory stage, demonstrating biological activity in standard 24-hour bioassays, meaning practical formulation, field testing, and registration would be required before any commercial adoption.
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The Culex pipiens mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) is highly suspected to be the vector responsible for the spread of several parasitic and viral diseases. The use of synthetic insecticides is generally the preferred method of controlling these mosquitoes’ proliferation. However, it has led to resistance problems in target mosquitoes and environmental damage. Hence, diverse plant extracts could be considered as an alternative and potential source as mosquito control agents. In this study, essential oils of Lavandula angustifolia subsp. angustifolia and Lavandula dentata spp. dentata that are growing in Morocco were examined for their insecticidal effects on Culex pipiens larvae. The bioassay was performed according to a methodology inspired by the standard protocol of the World Health Organization. The mortality rate was determined after 24 hours of exposure, and probit regression analysis was used to calculate LC50 and LC90. The chemical analysis revealed that the principal compounds of L. angustifolia subsp. essential oils include linalool, linalyl acetate, geraniol, lavandulyl acetate, camphor, β-caryophyllene, terpinen-4-ol, β-myrcene, and 1,8-cineole, while the essential oil of L. dentata spp. was mainly composed of 1,8-cineole, camphor, α-pinene, trans-pinocarveol, linalool, and borneol. These volatile compounds have shown a toxic effect against Culex pipiens larvae, with lethal concentrations LC50 and LC90 being, respectively, 140 µg/ml and 450 µg/ml, for the L. angustifolia subsp. essential oil. Meanwhile, they were estimated at 2670 µg/ml and 7400 µg/ml, respectively, for the L. dentata spp. essential oil. These results suggest using essential oils of two species of Lavandula to control the Culex pipiens mosquito. It could be useful for the study of new natural larvicidal compounds.
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DOI: 10.1155/2021/8872139
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