African Entomology (2014) 22, 755-761

I.M. El Husseiny, S.E. El Kholy and A.A. Othman (2014)
Laboratory testing of the toxicity of jujube (Zizyphus jujuba) oil and leaf extracts against Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)
African Entomology 22 (4), 755-761
Abstract: Botanical insecticides are considered to be the best alternative to synthetic chemical insecticides because they pose little threat to the environment or to human health. This study is the first report on the effect of jujube (Zizyphus jujuba) plant extracts against larvae of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. The study was designed to evaluate the larvicidal potency of jujube plant oil, dry ground leaves, and organic extracts of leaves using different solvents against third instar larvae. The ingredients of jujube were extracted by two ways: by grinding fresh leaves immediately in solvents or by soaking dry ground leaves powder in solvents for 72 h. The results showed that larvae were highly susceptible to jujube oil, plant extracts and crude plant powder. The best results were obtained with jujube oil, followed by the dry leaf extract in petroleum ether, and finally the crude plant powder. Histological and ultrastructural studies on jujube oil-treated larvae revealed that gut, muscles and cuticle layers were severely damaged, which indicates the toxic effect of jujube oil. In conclusion, the jujube plant oil and organic extracts are promising agents for controlling Cx. pipiens larvae.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Culex pipiens