Phytopesticidal and repellent efficacy of <i>Litsea salicifolia </i>(Lauraceae) against <i>Aedes aegypti </i>and <i>Culex quinquefasciatus.</i>

Abstract

<i>Litsea salicifolia </i>is one of the many plants used as phytopesticide, traditionally by various tribes of Assam. Of the five extracts of <i>L. salicifolia </i>tested for the bioactivity against <i>Aedes aegypti </i>and <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i>,<i> </i>the aqueous extract was more effective compared to other extracts exhibiting bioactivity at 72 ppm against <i>A. aegypti. </i>The hexane extract (2000

ppm) exhibited 70% repellent activity for 3 hr against <i>A.aegypti </i>and 46% activity for 3 hr against <i>C</i>. <i>quinquefasciatus. </i>This is the first report on the insecticidal properties of <i>L. salicifolia </i>which can be further developed as an eco-friendly biopesticides of the future.