Laboratory evaluation of traditionally produced coconut oil as a surface larvacide against Anopheles Stephensi fourth instar larvae

ABSTRACT

Environmental concerns have resulted in the search for environmentally friendly natural oils for use as mosquito larvacide. Methylated coconut oil has been found to be toxic to mosquito larvae. However, the use of methylated coconut oil is limited by resource constraints in rural communities in Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island countries where coconut oil is produced by traditional methods. This study evaluated the toxicity of traditionally produced coconut oil to fourth instar Anopheles stephensi larvae. The results showed that traditionally produced coconut oil is toxic to fourth instar Anopheles stephensi larvae. The results showed that coconut oil produced by traditional method is toxic to fourth instar Anopheles stephensi larvae. The coconut oil can be used as a larvacide for malaria vector control in community based programs utilizing community participation in the production and use of coconut oil for large scale use of coconut oil. However, a suitable surfactant needs to be identified.