Studies on effect of Acalypha indica L. (Euphorbiaceae) leaf extracts on the malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera:Culicidae).

The leaf extract of Acalypha indica with different solvents viz, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol were tested for larvicidal, ovicidal activity and oviposition attractancy against Anopheles stephensi. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h exposure. The LC(50) values are 19.25, 27.76, 23.26 and 15.03 ppm, respectively. Mean percent hatchability of the ovicidal activity was observed 120 h after treatment. The percent hatchability was inversely proportional to the concentration of extract and directly proportional to the eggs. The highest effective attractancy of 90.09%, 94.20%, 85.43% and 95.75% were observed at 100 ppm concentration viz, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, respectively. The lowest effective attractancy of 47.17%, 61.94%, 49.28% and 68.12% were observed at 25 ppm concentration viz, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, respectively. The results that the leaf extract of A. indica is promising as larvicidal and ovicidal activity and oviposition attractancy against malaria vector A. stephensi.