BOTANICAL EXTRACTS EXHIBIT DUAL ACTION AGAINST CULEX PIPIENS LARVAE AND BIOMPHALARIA ALEXANDRINA SNAILS

Abstract:
Some extracts of Euphorbia helioscopia [Euphorbiaceae], Calendula micrantha [Compositae] and Azadriachta indica [Meliaceae] were screened for the control of Culex pipiens larvae, the vector of Filariasis and Biomphalaria alexandrina snails the vector of Schistosomiasis in Egypt. These plants exhibit dual effect on both pests which share the same aquatic breeding habitat and are of medical importance. B. alexandrina snails were more susceptible than first instar larvae of C. pipiens toward all extracts of the plants tested. The acetone extracts of the three tested plants were the most active. The similarity of data of all fractions tested against both species revealed that these plant extracts probably exhibit the same mode of action toward the pests tested.