Repellency of essential oils extracted from plants in Thailand against four mosquito vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) and oviposition deterrent effects against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

In this study we evaluated and reported repellent effects of essential oils from Thai plants against 4 mosquito vectors: Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Anopheles. dirus and Culex quinquefasciatus under laboratory conditions using human volunteers. The essential oils were extracted from 18 plant species, belonging to 11 families, and the oils were then prepared as 10% solution in absolute ethanol with additives. Two chemical repellents, deet and IR3535, were also prepared in the same formulation as the essential oil repellents and tested for repellency as controls. The essential oils were also evaluated for oviposition deterrent effects against Ae. aegypti under laboratory conditions. The results show night-biting mosquitoes (An. dirus and Cx. quinquefasciatus) and Ae. albopictus were more sensitive to all the essential oils (repellency 4.5 - 8 hours) than was Ae. aegypti (repellency 0.3 - 2.8 hours), whereas deet and IR3535 provided excellent repellency against all four mosquito species (repellency 6.7- 8 hours). All essential oils exhibited oviposition deterrent activity against Ae. aegypti with various degrees of repellency ranging from 16.6 to 94.7%, whereas deet and IR3535 had no repellency. The present study demonstrates the potential for using essential oils as mosquito repellents and oviposition deterrents. These findings may lead to new and more effective strategies for protection from and control of mosquitoes.     

Insect repellent activity of medicinal plant oils against Aedes aegypti (Linn.), Anopheles minimus (Theobald) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say based on protection time and biting rate

This study investigated insect bite protection and length of the protection with 30 repellents which were divided into 3 categories: plant oil, essential oil and essential oil with ethyl alcohol, tested against three mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles minimus and Culex quinquefasciatus, under laboratory conditions. The plant oil group was comprised of Phlai (Zingiber cassumunar) and Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). Both substances were effective as repellents and feeding deterrents against An. minimus (205 minutes protection time and a biting rate of 0.9%), Cx. quinquefasciatus (165 minutes protection time and 0.9% biting rate) and Ae. aegypti (90 minutes protection time and 0.8% biting rate). Essential oil from citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) exhibited protection against biting from all 3 mosquito species: for An. minimus, Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti, the results were 130 minutes and 0.9%, 140 minutes and 0.8%, and 115 minutes and 0.8%, respectively. The period of protection time against Ae. aegypti for all repellent candidates tested was lower than the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) determined time of greater than 2 hours.     

Evaluation of repellent action of neem oil against the filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Studies were carried out to evaluate the repellent action of neem oil against Culex quinquefasciatus. Application of 2 and 5 per cent neem oil @ 5 ml/person/night gave 50 and 40.9 per cent protection in indoor collections and 17.4 and 5.6 per cent in outdoor collections as compared with that of untreated control respectively. The protection time ranged from 0100 to 0300 hrs and 0100 to 0600 hrs in indoor and outdoor collections respectively. Results of repellent action of Autan, a synthetic mosquito repellent studied concurrently showed a relatively higher protection rate from the bites of Cx. quinquefasciatus.     

Laboratory and field trial of developing medicinal local Thai plant products against four species of mosquito vectors

Oils of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) and Zanthoxylum limonella (makaen), widely used essential oils for dental caries or flavoring of food in Thailand, were prepared as 10 experimental repellent products in gel or cream form against Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles dirus under laboratory conditions, using the human-arm-in-cage method. Two products that gave the longest-lasting complete protection were selected to examine their repellency against a variety of mosquito species under field conditions. In laboratory tests, 0.1 g of each product was applied to 3x10 cm of exposed area on a volunteer's forearm, while in field trials, 1.0 g was applied to each volunteer's leg (from knee to ankle). In the laboratory, the gel dosage form contained 20% clove oil (Gel B) or 10% clove plus 10% makaen oil mixture (Gel E) were promising plant-based repellents against three mosquito species and gave significantly longer complete protection times of 4-5 hours than all other developing products. Therefore, their efficacy in the field was evaluated. Under field conditions, Gel E showed complete protection for 4 hours and gave 95.7% repellency after 5 hours application, whereas Gel B and 20% deet (di-methyl benzamide) provided only 86.8 and 82.7% repellency after treatment, respectively against Ae. aegypti, daytime-biting mosquitos. For nighttime-biting, the 3 repellents under development yielded equally excellent (average 97.1%) repellency for 5 hours against the predominant Cx. quinquefasciatus and Mansonia uniformis, but they gave 89.0% repellency against Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. gelidus. This finding demonstrated the effectiveness of Gel B and Gel E products for possible use by low-income rural communities against various mosquito species.     

Mosquito repellent properties of Delonix elata (L.) gamble (Family: Fabaceae) against filariasis vector,Culex quinquefasciatus Say. (Diptera: Culicidae)

ObjectiveTo determine the repellent activity of hexane, ethyl acetate, benzene, chloroform and methanol extract of Delonix elata (D. elata) leaf and seed against Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus).MethodsEvaluation was carried out in a net cage (45 cm×30 cm×25 cm) containing 100 blood starved female mosquitoes of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Repellent activity was carried out in the laboratory conditions according to the WHO 2009 protocol. Plant crude extracts of D. elata were applied at 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/cm² separately in the exposed fore arm of study subjects. Ethanol was used as the sole control.ResultsIn this study, the applied plant crude extracts were observed to protect against mosquito bites. There were no allergic reactions experienced by the study subjects. The repellent activity of the extract was dependent on the strength of the extract. Among the tested solvents, the leaf and seed methanol extract showed the maximum efficacy. The highest concentration of 5.0 mg/cm² provided over 150 min and 120 min protection, respectively.ConclusionsCrude extracts of D. elata exhibit the potential for controlling Cx. quinquefasciatus, the mosquito vector of filariasis.     

Larvicidal and repellent activities of Sida acuta Burm. F. (Family: Malvaceae) against three important vector mosquitoes

ObjectiveTo determine the larvicidal and repellent activities of Sida acuta Burm. F. (Family: Malvaceae)extract against Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi.MethodsTwenty five late III instar larve of three mosquito species were exposed to various concentrations (15-90 mg/L) and were assayed in the laboratory by using the protocol of WHO 2005; the 24 h L C 50 values of the Sida acuta leaf extract was determined following Probit analysis. The repellent efficacy was determined against three mosquito species at three concentrations viz., 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/cm 2 under the laboratory conditions.ResultsResults showed varying degree of larvicidal activity of crude extract of Sida acuta against three important mosquitoes with LC 50 values ranging between 38 to 48 mg/L. The crude extract had strong repellent action against three species of mosquitoes as it provided 100% protection against Anopheles stephensi for 180 min followed by Aedes aegypti (150 min) and Culex quinquefasciatus (120 min).ConclusionsFrom the results it can be concluded the crude extract of Sida acuta was an excellent potential for controlling Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Anopleles stephensi mosquitoes.     

Tralomethrin (OMS-3048), a new synthetic pyrethroid against vector mosquitoes.

Tralomethrin (OMS-3048) a synthetic pyrethroid, was tested for its insecticidal properties in the laboratory against normal strains of Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. sitiens, Anopheles stephensi, An. culicifacies, Aedes aegypti and Armigeres subalbatus and against strains of Cx. quinquefasciatus resistant to fenthion and malathion. Tralomethrin showed good larvicidal activity against all the species tested. LC50 ranged between 7.00 x 10(-6) and 9.10 x 10(-3) mg (ai)/l. Resistant strains of Cx. quinquefasciatus showed higher tolerance than the normal strain. Tralomethrin was more effective against adults of An. culicifacies (LD50 0.18 micrograms/cm2) than the other species. Residual activity of this compound lasted for 15 weeks on thatch surface at a dosage of 50 mg (ai)/m2 against all the mosquito species tested. In the field, this compound was effective for a period of 1-2 days in polluted water viz., cesspits and drains and 10-24 days in less polluted water as in cement tanks, when applied at the rate of 0.002-2.0 mg (ai)/l against immatures of Cx. quinquefasciatus.     

Larvicidal, adulticidal and repellent effects of Kaempferia galanga

Four fractions of Kaempferia galanga (hexane fraction, dichloromethane fraction 1, dichloromethane fraction 2 and methanolic fraction) were tested for larvicidal activity toward fourth instar Culex quinquefasciatus. The hexane fraction was found to exhibit the highest larvicidal effect with the LC50 of 42.33 ppm. Testing for adulticidal activity, the hexane fraction did not show any promising adulticidal effect. However, it caused a knockdown effect which might be useful as a repellent. It was then tested for repellent activity in human volunteers both in laboratory and field studies. In a laboratory study, the hexane fraction possessed repellency against Aedes aegypti (ED50 value of 30.73 microg/cm2), and provided biting protection for 3 hours. In a field study, it could protect against certain mosquitos, ie, Armigeres subalbatus, Anopheles barbirostris, An. aconitus, Mansonia uniformis, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. gelidus, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Ae. aegypti. The hexane fraction did not cause dermal irritation when applied on human skin.     

Comparative efficacies of permethrin-, deltamethrin- and alpha-cypermethrin-treated nets, against Anopheles arabiensis and Culex quinquefasciatus in northern Tanzania

Mosquito nets treated with permethrin, deltamethrin or alpha-cypermethrin at 25 mg/m(2) were evaluated in experimental huts in an area of rice irrigation near Moshi, in northern Tanzania. The nets were deliberately holed to resemble worn nets. The nets treated with permethrin offered the highest personal protection against Anopheles arabiensis (61.6% reduction in fed mosquitoes) and Culex quinquefasciatus (25.0%). Deltamethrin and alpha-cypermethrin provided lower personal protection against An. arabiensis (46.4% and 45.6%, respectively) and no such protection against Cx. quinquefasciatus. Permethrin performed poorly in terms of mosquito mortality, however, killing only 15.2% of the An. arabiensis and 9.2% of the Cx. quinquefasciatus exposed to the nets treated with this pyrethroid (after correcting for control mortality). The alpha-cypermethrin and deltamethrin performed marginally better, with respective mortalities of 32.8% and 33.0% for An. arabiensis and 19.4% and 18.9% for Cx quinquefasciatus. The poor killing effect of permethrin was confirmed in a second trial where a commercial, long-lasting insecticidal net based on this pyrethroid (Olyset) produced low mortalities in both An. arabiensis (11.8%) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (3.6%). Anopheles arabiensis survivors collected from the verandahs of the experimental huts and tested on 0.75%-permethrin and 0.05%-deltamethrin papers, in World Health Organization susceptibility kits, showed mortalities of 96% and 100%, respectively. The continued use of permethrin-treated nets is recommended for personal protection against An. arabiensis. In control programmes that aim to interrupt transmission of pathogens by mosquitoes and/or manage pyrethroid resistance in such vectors, a combination of a pyrethroid and another insecticide with greater killing effect should be considered.     

Mosquito larvicidal properties of essential oil of an indigenous plant, Ipomoea cairica Linn

Laboratory bioassay of the essential oil extracted from an indigenous plant, Ipomoea cairica, commonly known as 'Railway creeper', was carried out against the larvae of four vector species of mosquitoes in order to evaluate its mosquito larvicidal effect. Bioassay test revealed that the essential oil of the plant possess remarkable larvicidal properties as it could induce 100% mortality in the larvae of Culex tritaeniorhynchus (100 ppm), Aedes aegypti (120 ppm), Anopheles stephensi (120 ppm), and Culex quinquefasciatus (170 ppm) mosquitoes at concentrations rangeing from 100 to 170 ppm. The LC(50) and LC(90) values estimated for Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi, and Cx. quinquefasciatus were 14.8 and 78.3, 22.3 and 92.7, 14.9 and 109.9, and 58.9 and 161.6 ppm, respectively. The essential oil was found to be most highly toxic to the larvae of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus followed by Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi, and Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes.     

Mosquito repellency of the seeds of celery (Apium graveolens L.)

When the mosquito repellencies of four fractions of Apium graveolens seeds (one hexane, two dichloromethane and one methanolic) were investigated in the laboratory, all four were found to offer human volunteers some protection against female, adult Aedes aegypti. The hexane fraction, however, was found to exhibit the highest repellency in the laboratory, with median effective doses (ED50) and ED95 of 0.41 and 2.93 mg/cm2 skin, respectively. Only this fraction, which was also found to provide protection against mosquito bites for 3.5 h when applied, in the laboratory, at a concentration of 250 mg/ml, was then investigated for its repellency in the field and its stability. In storage, it was found to retain its repellency for at least 2 months, although significant reductions in its repellency were observed (in terms of shortened complete-protection times) after 3 months, whatever the temperature of storage (-20 degrees C, 4 degrees C, or room temperature). When applied to the skin of volunteers under field conditions, the hexane fraction showed strong repellent activity against a wide range of mosquito species belonging to various genera (Ae. gardnerii, Ae. lineatopennis, Armigeres subalbatus, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. vishnui group, Cx. quinquefasciatus and Mansonia uniformis). It appeared not to cause dermal irritation or any other adverse effect, either during 6 months of use or in the following 3 months of follow-up. Mosquito repellents based on extracts of Ap. graveolens seeds could be developed commercially, as an effective personal-protection measure against mosquito bites and the diseases caused by mosquito-borne pathogens.     

Blood meal identification by using Microdot ELISA in vector mosquitoes

The blood meals of five mosquito species which are vectors for malaria, J.E. and Filaria were determined by using Microdot ELISA technique, which is a rapid and sensitive method. A total of 4354 freshly fed mosquitoes comprising of Anopheles culicifacies, An stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. vishnui gp. and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were tested. Results of the study reveal that highest proportion of An. culicifacies between 76-100% fed on bovine host followed by 0.3 to 24.2% on human. Cx. vishnui showed 1.9% feeding on human, 49-87.7% on bovine and 7.4-12.3% on the pigs. It has been observed that malaria vectors namely An. culicifacies and An. stephensi are still zoophilic in nature. Similarly, the vector of J.E. namely Culex vishnui gp. and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus also fed on cattle but some samples have indicated feeding of blood meal from pigs.     

Population dynamics of some Pakistan mosquitoes: changes in adult relative abundance over time and space

Time series and spatial changes in the relative abundance of 14 mosquito species were described from weekly or biweekly collections at nine localities in Punjab province, Pakistan, from January 1976 to June 1980. Comparisons between indoor aspirator catches and outdoor mechanical sweeper collections enabled mosquito resting habits to be classified as: (1) endophilic (Anopheles culicifacies, An. fluviatilis, An. stephensi, An. subpictus); (2) partially exophilic (An. annularis, An. pulcherrimus, An. nigerrimus, Culex bitaeniorhynchus, Cx, pseudovishnui, Cx, quinquefasciatus, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus), or exophilic (Cx. fuscocephala, Aedes caspius, Mansonia uniformis). Temporal abundance patterns were grouped by seasonality, overwintering strategies and the magnitude of fluctuation. Seasonal patterns were: (1) unimodal-spring (Cx. quinquefasciatus, Ae. capius); (2) unimodal-monsoon (An. nigerrimus, An. subpictus, Cx. bitaeniorhynchus, Cx. fuscocephala); (3) bimodal-spring dominant (An. annularis, An. culcifacies, An. stephensi), and (4) bimodal-monsoon/post-monsoon dominant (An. fluviatilis, An. pulcherrimus, Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Ma. uniformis). Mosquito overwintering strategies included: (1) adults with slowed reproductive activity (An. annularis, An. culicifacies, An. fluviatilis, An. pulcherrimus, An. stephensi, Cx. quinquefasciatus); (2) females with interrupted reproductive activity (An. nigerrimus, Cx. fuscocephala, Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus); (3) immature stages (Ae. caspius, Ma. uniformis) and (4) annual extinction and re-introduction (An. subpictus). The magnitude of seasonal change was classified by the number of standard deviations from the overall mean exhibited by the annual maxima or minima: (1) stationary, less than 1 standard deviation (An. culicifacies, An. fluviatilis, Cx. bitaeniorhynchus, Ae. caspius), (2) fluctuating moderately, one to two standard deviations (An. annularis, An. nigerrimus, An. pulcherrimus, An. stephensi, Cx. fuscocephala, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Ma. uniformis) and (3) markedly fluctuating greater than two standard deviations (An. subpictus, Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus). The seasonal increases of An. culicifacies and An. stephensi abundance did not closely parallel the periods of maximal malaria transmission. Temporal patterns exhibited by several culicine species indicated that the period of greatest West Nile virus activity would probably occur during the post-monsoon season.     

Beta-cyfluthrin, a synthetic pyrethroid for mosquito control.

Beta-cyfluthrin (OMS 3051), a new synthetic pyrethroid and one of the stereoisomers of cyfluthrin, was studied for insecticidal activity against eight mosquito species. Its larvicidal activity with LC50 values of 5.62 x 10(-5) and 1.19 x 10(-4) mg/l respectively for Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti was comparable with that of deltamethrin. This pyrethroid was more effective against the larvae of Armigeres subalbatus (LC50 - 7.76 x 10(-7)) and the adults of Anopheles culicifacies LT50 - 27.76 min at 2.0 mu/cm2) than the other species tested. Residual efficacy at 50 mg(ai)/m2 was more persistent (for 14-25 weeks) on thatch and asbestos among the four treated surfaces. This compound also elicited oviposition deterrent activity at 0.001 mg/l against Cx.quinquefasciatus. beta-cyfluthrin is a good insecticide for mosquito control. However, care should be exercised while using it as a larvicide in breeding habitats considering its toxicity to fish.     

Evaluation of certain mosquito repellents marketed in India

A study was carried out in certain villages of Distt. Ghaziabad (U.P.) to evaluate the efficacy of commercially available mosquito repellent preparations and devices. Results revealed that none of the repellents tested provided absolute protection against mosquito bites. The protection varied from 38 to 98% with different species of mosquitoes. In general, better protection was provided against Anopheles bite than against Culex. Of ten repellents evaluated. Mylol oil and Tortoise coils were marginally superior to Odomos cream and Rooster coils. Among electrical devices, Good Bye and Casper were marginally superior to Good Knight and Knight Queen.     

Studies on mosquito larvicidal properties of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook (family-Myrtaceae)

Hexane extract obtained from leaves of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook was tested against larvae of Anopheles stephensi Liston, Culex quinquefasciatus Say and Aedes aegypti Linn to assess its toxicity and growth inhibiting activity. The results showed better activity of hexane extract against larvae of An. stephensi Liston as compared to the larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus Say and Ae. aegypti Linn. The LC50 values against IVth instar larvae of three species were 69.86, 81.12 & 91.76 ppm respectively after 24 hours and 26.7, 29.9 & 38.8 ppm respectively after 72 hours. At lowest concentration viz. 10 ppm, 73% larvae of An. stephensi Liston failed to emergence as adult mosquito while in Cx. quinquefasciatus Say and Ae. aegypti Linn only 10 & 6% larvae failed to emerge. Further observations showed some morphological abnormalities in same pupae which could not moult normally. These results clearly indicated growth inhibition effect of the hexane extract of Eucalyptus against mosquito larvae, particularly Anopheles species. Thus Eucalyptus citriodora Hook, which is commonly found in Northern India, has a great potential for the development of an eco-friendly herbal insecticidal product for control of mosquito breeding.     

Replication of dengue type 2 virus in Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

We were able to infect Culex quinquefasciatus by the parenteral route with dengue virus type 2. The percentage of mosquitoes infected was dose dependent and we obtained a rate of 45.6% infected Cx. quinquefasciatus when a 10(5.9) MID50 (mosquito infectious dose for 50% of the individuals as measured in Aedes aegypti) of dengue virus type 2 per mosquito was used. Infection was detected by an immunofluorescent assay performed on mosquito head squashes 14 days after infection. The replication of dengue virus in Cx. quinquefasciatus was either at a very low level of magnitude or generated a large number of noninfectious particles since the triturated bodies of infected Cx. quinquefasciatus did not infect Ae. aegypti mosquitoes when inoculated parenterally. We were unable to infect Cx. quinquefasciatus females orally with an artificial meal that infected 100% of Ae. aegypti females. These findings lead us to agree with the consensus that Cx. quinquefasciatus should not be considered a biological vector of dengue viruses.     

Larvicidal and repellent properties of some essential oils against Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles and Anopheles subpictus Grassi (Diptera: Culicidae)

ObjectiveTo investigate the larvicidal and repellent properties of essential oils from various parts of four plant species Cymbopogan citrates, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Rosmarinus officinalis and Zingiber officinale against Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Cx. tritaeniorhynchus) and Anopheles subpictus (An. subpictus).MethodsEssential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation method. The mosquitoes were reared in the vector control laboratory and twenty five late third instar larvae of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and An. subpictus were exposed to based on the wide range and narrow range test, essential oil tested at various concentrations ranging from 25 to 250 ppm. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h under the laboratory conditions. The repellent efficacy was determined against two mosquito species at three concentrations viz., 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/cm² under laboratory conditions.ResultsResults showed all the four plant essential oil produced significant larval mortality against two mosquito species. However, the highest larvicidal activity was observed in the essential oil from Zingiber officinale against Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and An. subpictus with the LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values as 98.83, 57.98 ppm and 186.55, 104.23 ppm, respectively. All the four essential oil shows significant repellency against Cx. tritaeniorhynchus than An. subpictus. Among four essential oil tested the highest repellency was observed in Zingiber officinale, a higher concentration of 5.0 mg/cm² provided 100% protection up to 150 and180 min against Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and An. subpictus, respectively.ConclusionsIn this work, it can be concluded that four essential oils which were distilled from Cymbopogan citrates, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Rosmarinus officinalis and Zingiber officinale showed promising larvicidal and repellent agent against Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and An. subpictus.     

二氯苯醚菊酯浸泡蚊帐灭蚊效果观察

1986～1887年在广西宜山县现场和上海实验室内进行二氯苯醚菊酯(以下简称氯菊酯)浸泡蚊帐灭蚊试验,在现场选择3个自然村,分别用10％和25％氯菊酯乳剂按0.5g/m~2剂量浸泡蚊帐。两年结果表明,氯菊酯浸泡蚊帐后,人房内蚊虫密度迅速显著下降,灭蚊效果良好,残效期长达15个月,对人安全,使用简便,值得在疟疾流行区作进一步研究。     

Repellent activity of Ageratum houstonianum Mill. (Asteraceae) leaf extracts against Anopheles stephensi,Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

ObjectiveTo determine the repellent activity of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol crude extracts of Ageratum houstonianum(A. houstonianum) leaves against adult Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi), Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus) mosquitoes.MethodsBioassay on laboratory reared Swiss albino mice by topical application at a fixed concentration of 0.01 per cent with coconut oil as a base.ResultsCrude leaf extracts of A. houstonianum in combination with coconut oil repelled vector mosquitoes. Maximum protection for a period of 11.30 h was obtained against Cx. quinquefasciatus and An. stephensi when treated with methanol and hexane extracts followed by 8.30 h against Ae. aegypti in methanol extract. Amongst the three extracts, methanol extract gave the maximum protection of 95.0% against Cx. quinquefasciatus. Hexane and ethyl acetate extracts gave a maximum of 93.4% protection against An. stephensi.ConclusionsThe crude extracts of A. houstonianum leaves in combination with coconut oil showed repellent activity with repellent quotient ranging from 0.6 to 0.9.