Preliminary evaluation of mosquito larvicidal efficacy of plant extracts.

Mosquitoes are the most important single group of insects in terms of public health importance, which transmit a number of diseases, such as malaria, filariasis, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, etc. causing millions of deaths every year. Repeated use of synthetic insecticides for mosquito control has disrupted natural biological control systems and led to resurgences in mosquito populations. It has also resulted in the development of resistance1, undesirable effects on non-target organisms and fostered environmental and human health concern2, which initiated a search for alternative control measures. Plants are considered as a rich source of bioactive chemicals3 and they may be an alternative source of mosquito control agents.