Phytochemical Screening and Larvicidal Activity of Croton hirtus L?Her Leaves against Culex quinquefasciatus Say

Mosquitoes, the public enemy number one transmit malaria, filariasis, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, chikun guniya etc. The control of mosquito at the larval stage is necessary and efficient in integrated mosquito management. To reduce the environment pollution and the development of resistance, plant products were used as an alternative for chemical insecticides. The present study aims to evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of Croton hirtus L�Her against Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Acetone and methanol extracts were used for the bio assay against 3rd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciaus and the LC50 values were 49.81 and 57.32 respectively. Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, phenols, glycosides, terpenoids, anthroquinone and saponins Hence, it is a potential and ecofriendly approach for the control of mosquitoes.