Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the larvicidal activity of petroleum ether and ethyl alcohol extracts of Acorus calamus (A. calamus). Methods: Petroleum ether and ethyl alcohol extracts were extracted from plant materials through soxhlet extraction process and its efficacy was determined through bioassay method. Extracts were evaluated further for the determination of their LC 50 and LC90 values. Observation of mortality response was assessed after 24 h. Results: Petroleum ether and ethyl alcohol extracts of A. calamus produced 99% and 96% mortality at 125 mg/L respectively. Petroleum ether extract exhibited LC50 at 57.32 mg/L, LC90 at 120.13 mg/L, while ethyl alcohol extract exhibited LC50 at 64.22 mg/L, LC90 at 130.37 mg/L. Conclusions: Present study indicated that A. calamus carries huge potential as a mosquito larvicide. This potential could be exploited for the development of safer and effective botanical mosquito larvicidal tool for the management of Aedes aegypti.

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