Laboratory Evaluation of Traditionally made Coconut Oil as a Surface Larvacide for Malaria Vector Control

Environmental concerns have resulted in the search for environmentally friendly natural oils for use as mosquito larvacide. Methylated coconut oil (MCO) has been found to be toxic to mosquito larvae. However, the use of MCO is limited by resource constraints in rural communities in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In PNG and other Pacific Island countries, coconut oil is produced using traditional methods. This study evaluated the toxicity of traditionally made coconut oil to fourth instar Anopheles stephensi larvae. The results showed that traditionally made coconut oil is toxic to fourth instar Anopheles stephensi larvae. Traditionally made coconut oil has the potential for use as a larvacide for malaria vector control in community based programs utilizing community participation in the production and use of coconut oil.