Larvicidal activity of two seaweeds, Enteromorpha flexuosa J. Agardh and Gracilara corticata J. Agardh Against Mosquito Vector, Anopheles stephensi

T.V. Poonguzhali¹ and Josmin L.L. Laali Nisha²

1Department of Botany, Queen Mary's College - 600 004, India. 2Department of Botany, Queen Mary's College, Chennai - 600 004, India.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/1131

ABSTRACT: The Anopheles mosquito is also capable of transmitting filarial worms, various arboviruses, onyong-nyong, tataguine, equine encephalitis, as well as other viruses, but malaria is unquestionably the most threatening disease. It has also resulted in the development of resistance, undesirable effects on non-target organisms and fostered environmental and human health concern, which initiated a search for alternative control measures. The bioinsecticides are generally pest-specific, readily biodegradable and usually lack toxicity to higher animals. This study was undertaken to investigate the larvicidal potential of the two different seaweeds Enteromorpha flexuosa J. Agardh and Gracilara corticata J. Agardh against the medically important species of malaria vector Anopheles. Of the two algae screened G. corticata was found to effective against the larva A.stephensi. It is concluded that the seaweeds such as E.flexuosa and G. Corticata serves as an excellent biopotent, which can be exploited for larvicidal property and can be cultivated in the coastal areas of the South East Coast of India.

KEYWORDS: Larvicidal activity; Seaweeds; Anopheles stephensi; Malaria

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