Culex quinquefasciatus Egg Membrane Alteration and Ovicidal Activity of Cipadessa baccifera (Roth) Plant Extracts Compared to Synthetic Insect Growth Regulators

BACKGROUND: Insecticide resistance among mosquito vectors for synthetic insecticides still remains a major problem for control efforts. This study assessed the ovicidal potential of crude solvent extracts from the medicinal plant Cipadessa baccifera comparatively to standard registered synthetic insect growth regulators (IGR) on freshly laid eggs of Culex quinquefasciatus. METHOD: Five plant extracts were prepared using different solvents. The batches of eggs were exposed to different concentrations of each solvent extract comparatively to synthetic IGR. The hatched eggs of Cx. quinquefasciatus were subjected to different concentrations. The first instars that emerged from the eggs were counted daily. The egg hatching inhibition was observed 24, 48 and 72 hrs post treatment. The desiccation median time (DT(50) and DT(90)) was calculated. RESULTS: The percent egg hatching inhibition was inversely proportional to the concentration of extracts. The morphological damage to the eggs was observed. Among five solvent extracts, acetone extracts showed the highest ovicidal activity. The changes in eggshell morphology were observed. The maximum ovicidal activity was observed in acetone extracts with DT(50) value of 1.70 hrs (0.91–2.22). The methanol plant extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified 14 compounds. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the acetone extracts of C. baccifera have the potential to be used as an ovicidal agent for controlling mosquito populations in aquatic stages. The biodegradability of the extracts has the advantage of being eco-friendly.