Insecticide Activity of and (Asteraceae) against (Diptera: Psychodidae).

BACKGROUND

Insects are mostly pathogens transmitters, thus the necessity of finding effective bioinsecticides to combat them. In the present investigation, the insecticide activity of and (Asteraceae) essential oils, methanol, and aqueous extracts was evaluated against (Diptera: Psychodidae) females, transmitters, a wide distributed parasitosis in Latin America.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All extracts were prepared by maceration at room temperature, and essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation process. Females of were used in the bioassays using the adulticide test in pots.

RESULTS

Essential oils from both assayed plant species showed 100% of mortality at 48 h of exposure at the concentration of 10 mg/ml. essential oil exhibited the following values, LD = 0.39 mg/ml, LD = 1.57 mg/ml, LD = 2.31 mg/ml, and LD = 4.80 mg/ml while for essential oil values were LD = 0.31 mg/ml, LD = 0.99 mg/ml, LD = 1.38 mg/ml, and LD = 2.55 mg/ml.

CONCLUSION

Higher toxicity was observed with essential oil against , comparing to oil. Two new plant species are being reported, showing bioactive properties against common tropical disease vectors such as , hence, opening possibilities to a more environmental friendly control.