article · Journal of Parasitology Research
Culex pipiens mosquitoes transmit West Nile virus, which caused notable outbreaks in Morocco across several years. In the north-central region of the country, this mosquito species has developed resistance to conventional synthetic insecticides, creating a critical demand for natural biocide alternatives. Laboratory evaluations examined the larvicidal potential of extracts from the local plant Nerium oleander against third and fourth stage Culex pipiens larvae using protocols adapted from World Health Organization standards. Exposure to an ethanolic extract demonstrated measurable toxicity against the mosquito larvae after twenty-four hours. The lethal concentrations required to eliminate fifty percent and ninety percent of the tested larvae were 57.57 milligrams per millilitre and 166.35 milligrams per millilitre, respectively. These outcomes demonstrate that Nerium oleander extract exhibits potential as a plant-derived larvicide for mosquito vector management.
Mosquitoes that spread dangerous pathogens such as West Nile virus are increasingly resistant to standard chemical insecticides. Identifying plant-based alternatives helps public health programmes manage insect populations without relying solely on synthetic chemicals. Utilising widely available local plants like Nerium oleander could offer sustainable and accessible bio-pesticide options to curb vector-borne disease transmission in affected communities.
This research points to potential applications in botanical larvicide formulations targeting insecticide-resistant mosquitoes. Potential users include municipal vector-control teams and public health authorities managing mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. Because the findings reflect early-stage laboratory bioassays measuring baseline mortality, substantial work on extraction efficiency, active compound identification, non-target safety, and field validation remains necessary before commercial product development.
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Background. Outbreaks of the West Nile virus infection were reported in Morocco in 1996, 2003, and 2010. Culex pipiens was strongly suspected as the vector responsible for transmission. In the North center of Morocco, this species has developed resistance to synthetic insecticides. There is an urgent need to find alternatives to the insecticides as natural biocides. Objective. In this work, the insecticidal activity of the extract of the local plant Nerium oleander, which has never been tested before in the North center of Morocco, was studied on larval stages 3 and 4 of Culex pipiens. Methods. Biological tests were realized according to a methodology inspired from standard World Health Organization protocol. The mortality values were determined after 24 h of exposure and LC50 and LC90 values were calculated. Results. The extract had toxic effects on the larvae of culicid mosquitoes. The ethanolic extract of Nerium oleander applied against the larvae of Culex pipiens has given the lethal concentrations LC50 and LC90 in the order of 57.57 mg/mL and 166.35 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion. This investigation indicates that N. oleander could serve as a potential larvicidal, effective natural biocide against mosquito larvae, particularly Culex pipiens.
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DOI: 10.1155/2015/943060
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