Efficacy of larvicidal and pupicidal properties of Acalypha alnifolia Klein ex Willd. (Euphorbiaceae) leaf extract and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) against Culex quinquefasciatus Say. (Diptera: Culicidae)

The present study was carried out to establish the properties of Acalypha alnifolia leaf extract and microbial insecticide, Metarizhium anisopliae on larvicidal and pupicidal activity against the lymphatic filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. The methanol extract of A. alnifolia leaf showed larvicidal and pupicidal effects after 24 h of exposure; with, the highest larval and pupal mortality was recorded against the firstto fourth-instar larvae and pupae of values LC 50 = 5.67% 1 instar, 6.62% 2 instar, 7.53% 3 instar and 9.05% 4 instar, and 10.20% pupae respectively, and microbial insecticide, M. anisopliae against the first to fourth instar larvae and pupae with LC 50 values 1 instar was 10.53%, 2 instar was 15.57%, 3 instar was 23.06%, and 4 instar was 31.36%, and pupae was 42.54%, respectively. Moreover, combined treatment of values of LC 50 values of 1 instar was 3.73%, 2 instar was 4.72%, 3 instar was 5.55%, and 4 instar was 7.66%, and pupae was 9.16%, respectively. No mortality was observed in the control. The results shows the leaves extract of A. alnifolia and the entomopathogenic fungi, M. anisopliae are candidates for controlling lymphatic filarial vector, C. quinquefasciatus. Hence, A. alnifolia and M. anisopliae can be considered for eco-friendly vector control programs.