Evaluating the Synergistic Larvicidal Effects of Pistia stratiotes (Water Lettuce) and Azadirachta indica (Neem) Leaf Ethanolic Extract on Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever Mosquito) Larvae

• Main Authors: Vitangcol, Audric B., Dalawampu, Rein Erin C., Gonzalvo, Vianne Germaine D., Parungao, Annika Stacey A., Tucay, Shannen Anziel D.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2023
• Subjects: arvicide; Azadirachta indica; Pistia stratiotes; crude extract; ethanolic extract
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2023/paper_fnh/8; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/conf_shsrescon/article/1782/viewcontent/PP_FNH_Vitangcol_Dalawampu_Gonzalvo_Parungao_Tucay___Vitangcol_Audric.docx.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Mosquito-borne diseases have been a global concern for centuries, and dengue is still a major problem in the Philippines. However, the widespread use of synthetic chemical larvicides has negatively affected the environment, particularly aquatic biodiversity, by killing other organisms and target larvae. This study aims to create an effective but more environmentally friendly alternative using Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) and Azadirachta indica (neem). Aedes aegypti larvae were subjected to a mortality assay using five different combinations of A. indica and P. stratiotes leaf extracts and compared to commercial larvicide temephos. The concentration with 100% A. indica had the highest mortality rate (65.33%), and a Tukey’s test found that it was as effective as temephos. The same concentration was tested again in five varying concentrations to get its LC50 and LC90. After further testing, its LC50 was found to be 757.762 ppm, while its LC90 is 1,347.754 ppm. Thus, pure A. indica extract is an effective plant-based larvicide against A. aegypti larvae. However, it does not have a synergistic larvicidal effect with P. stratiotes because the mixed concentrations had lower mortality rates than their individual counterparts. Regardless, with this knowledge, people can make potent larvicides with readily accessible plants and cheap, common extraction methods, which is becoming more relevant because mosquito larvae are increasingly becoming resistant to larvicides like temephos.