Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds as Sustainable Alternatives for Multi-Stage Control of Malaria Vector Anopheles Stephensi

Iqra Batool; Ghulam Ali Bugti; Arif Ali; Abdul Hafeez Mastoi; Hamid Ibrahim1; Fatima

Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds as Sustainable Alternatives for Multi-Stage Control of Malaria Vector Anopheles Stephensi

Authors

Iqra Batool Department of Entomology, Lasbela University of Agriculture Water & Marine Science, Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan
Ghulam Ali Bugti Department of Entomology, Lasbela University of Agriculture Water & Marine Science, Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan
Arif Ali Department of Entomology, Lasbela University of Agriculture Water & Marine Science, Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan
Abdul Hafeez Mastoi Department of Entomology, Lasbela University of Agriculture Water & Marine Science, Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan
Hamid Ibrahim1
Fatima Department of Entomology, Lasbela University of Agriculture Water & Marine Science, Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan

Keywords:

Anopheles stephensi, botanical extracts, Neem, Citrus, ovicidal effect, repellency, eco-friendly vector control

Abstract

The increasing resistance of Anopheles stephensi to conventional insecticides has created an urgent need for safe, eco-friendly alternatives for mosquito control. This study evaluated the larvicidal, ovicidal, and adult repellency effects of four botanical extracts: Neem (Azadirachta indica), Citrus (Citrus sinensis), Moringa (Moringa oleifera), and Nerium (Nerium oleander) at concentrations of 30%, 60%, and 90% against Anopheles stephensi under laboratory conditions. Bioassays were conducted using standard WHO protocols, and data were analysed through Univariate ANOVA and post-hoc tests to determine the effect of treatment and concentration. Results showed that both treatment and concentration had highly significant effects (p < 0.001) on larval mortality, egg hatchability, and adult repellency, while the treatment concentration showed a consistent dose-dependent pattern among all extracts. Our results showed that the Neem extract exhibited the strongest adult repellency at 90% concentration compared to other concentrations (60.00 ± 1.33%), followed by Citrus (53.33 ± 1.33%). Moringa (23.33 ± 1.33%) and Nerium (26.67 ± 1.33%) had lower repellency. The minimum LC⁵⁰ for adult repellency was observed in Neem (74.2), and an LC50 of 83.6 was noted in Citrus treatment. However, no significant results were observed in Nerium and Moring treatments, respectively. Whereas, Neem extract exhibited the highest larvicidal efficacy with a maximum response of (68.89±4.33%), followed by Nerium (58.89±4.33%), Citrus (51.11±4.33%), and Moringa (40.00±4.33%). While the minimum LC⁵⁰ value was (53.6) in Neem treatment, it was (55.1) in Citrus treatment, and the maximum LC⁵⁰ value was (61.3) and (64.8) in Nerium and Moringa treatment against larvae, respectively. In ovicidal assays, Citrus and Neem extracts most effectively reduced egg hatchability, while in repellency tests, Neem (41.11±2.07%) and Citrus (37.78±2.07%) produced the strongest deterrent effects, particularly at 90 concentration. Furthermore, the minimum LC⁵⁰ for adult repellency was observed in Neem (74.2), and an LC⁵⁰ of 83.6 was noted in Citrus treatment. However, no significant results were observed in Nerium and Moring treatments, respectively. Results showed that the role of botanical bioactive compounds in disrupting mosquito development and behaviour supports their use as sustainable components in Integrated Vector Management (IVM) programs.

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Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds as Sustainable Alternatives for Multi-Stage Control of Malaria Vector Anopheles Stephensi