Mosquito larvicidal properties of Momordica charantia Linn (family: Cucurbitaceae).

Malaria and other vector-borne diseases contribute to the major disease burden in India. One of the methods to control these diseases is to control the vectors for the interruption of disease transmission. In the past, synthetic organic chemical insecticidesbased intervention measures for the control of insect pests and disease vectors have resulted in development of insecticide resistance in some medically important vectors of malaria, filariasis and dengue fever1,2. During the last decade, various studies on natural plant products against mosquito vectors indicate them as possible alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides3-12 .