Citrus waste-derived essential oils: Alternative larvicides for dengue fever mosquito,Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Culicidae: Diptera)

Plant extracts are currently studied more and more because of their role in plant protection as well as in urban entomology. investigations were made to assess the larvicidal potential of citrus waste-derived essential oils at different concentrations (300ppm,400ppm,500ppm,600ppm,700ppm and 800ppm) against early 4th instar larvae of aedes albopiclus (diptera: culicidae),a competent mosquito in dengue positive area. results reveal that the seed and peel extracts of lemon (citrus limon l.) proved to be the most effective larvicides with minimum lc50 values after 24 hours (395.59 ppm for seed; 468.69 ppm for peel) and 48 h (247.19 ppm for seed; 392.20 ppm for peel) of exposure,and thus have the potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly plant extract against larvae of ae. albopiclus. succari (citrus sinensis var. succari) seed and peel extracts proved least effective larvicides by having higher lc50 values,after 24 h (905.95 ppm for seed; 1009.44 ppm for peel) and 48 h (759.74 ppm for seed; 1041.53 ppm for peel) of exposure. extracts from seed were more potent than peel as small doses of seed oils resulted in higher mortality as compared to peel extract. copyright 2011 zoological society of pakistan.