Repellent properties of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. (Family: Fabaceae) against fi lariasis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

To determine the repellent activity of hexane, ethyl acetate, benzene, chloroform, and methanol extract of
Pithecellobium dulce leaf and seed against filariasis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. Evaluation was carried out
in a net cage (45 cm2 × 30 cm2 × 25 cm2) containing 100 blood starved female mosquitoes of three mosquito
species and were assayed in the laboratory condition by using the protocol of WHO: The plant leaf crude extracts
of P. dulce was applied at 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/cm2 separately in the exposed area of the fore arm. Only ethanol
served as control. In this observation, the plant crude extracts gave protection against mosquito bites without
any allergic reaction to the test person, and also, the repellent activity is dependent on the strength of the plant
extracts. Among the tested solvents, both the leaf and seed methanol extracts showed maximum efficacy. The
highest concentration of 5.0 mg/cm2 provided over 120 min and 90 min protection for the leaf and seed extracts,
respectively. From the results, it can be concluded the crude extract of P. dulce was potential for controlling
filariasis vector, C. quinquefasciatus mosquito.