Repellency effect of forty-one essential oils against Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex mosquitoes

Parasitol Res. 2006 Sep;99(4):478-90. doi: 10.1007/s00436-006-0184-1. Epub 2006 Apr 27.

Abstract

Since ancient times, plant products were used in various aspects. However, their use against pests decreased when chemical products became developed. Recently, concerns increased with respect to public health and environmental security requiring detection of natural products that may be used against insect pests. In this study, 41 plant extracts and 11 oil mixtures were evaluated against the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), the malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi (Liston), and the filariasis and encephalitis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) using the skin of human volunteers to find out the protection time and repellency. The five most effective oils were those of Litsea (Litsea cubeba), Cajeput (Melaleuca leucadendron), Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Violet (Viola odorata), and Catnip (Nepeta cataria), which induced a protection time of 8 h at the maximum and a 100% repellency against all three species. This effect needs, however, a peculiar formulation to fix them on the human skin.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Culicidae / drug effects*
  • Culicidae / physiology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insect Bites and Stings / prevention & control*
  • Insect Repellents / toxicity*
  • Mosquito Control
  • Plant Oils / toxicity*

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Insect Repellents
  • Plant Oils