LARVAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF AEDES AEGYPTI (L.) (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) TO EXTRACTS OF ILEX PARAGUARIENSIS AND ILEX THEEZANS

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of dengue, Chikungunya and Zika virus
worldwide. The strategies for the population control involve the use of
synthetic insecticides, which may cause toxicity problems and environmental
contamination. This study evaluated the larvicide effect of hydroalcoholic
extracts of leaves and fruits Ilex paraguariensis and Ilex theezans on
A. aegypti. The bioassays were conducted under controlled conditions. Fresh
and dry fruits of I. paraguariensis showed the higher larvicidal activity on
A. aegypti than the leaves of the same species. Mosquito larvae showed
increased susceptibility from dried leaf extracts, fresh fruit and leaf of
I. theezans. It was also observed a variation in larval mortality during periods
of exposure. The larvicide efficiency of I. theezans extracts on A. aegypti are
promising results and widen the possibility for further studies of the use of
extracts of this plant.