Evaluation of time toxicity, residual effect, and growth-inhibiting property of Carapa guianensis and Copaifera sp. in Aedes aegypti.

Oils of Carapa guianensis and Copaifera spp. are well-known in the Amazonian region as natural insect repellents, and studies have reported their efficiency as larvicide against some mosquito species. However, toxicity persistence and effect on mosquito development have not yet been evaluated. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the initial time of larvicidal activity, residual effect, and the effect of very low concentrations of these oils on Aedes aegypti. Different concentrations of the oils were used to evaluate the initial time of larval mortality and residual effect, as well as, the development of larvae, pupae, and adults. Results demonstrated that the lethal effect started mainly between the first 2 and 3 h of larvae exposure to oils, when using concentrations which ranged from 500 mg/L of C. guianensis and 90 mg/L of Copaifera sp. The toxic effect remained with total efficiency (100% mortality) until the sixth day for Copaifera sp. and 12th day for C. guianensis. When using sublethal dosages (ranging from 140 mg/L of C. guianensis to 26 mg/L of Copaifera sp.) mortality was observed after the larval molt. Also, imperfection of pupae and adult development and unsuccessful emergence of adults were observed. A product of botanical origin that could break the development of immature stage of mosquitoes and inhibit the emergence of adults should be essential in vector control. Thus, our results provide new information for a better understanding in using C. guianensis and Copaifera sp. oils with a potential to be used as a natural insecticide.

First report on susceptibility of wild Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) using Carapa guianensis (Meliaceae) and Copaifera sp. (Leguminosae).

Oils of Carapa guianensis and Copaifera spp. are well known in the Amazonian region as natural insect repellent, and studies have reported their efficiency as larvicide against some laboratory mosquito species. However, in wild populations of mosquitoes, these oils have not yet been evaluated. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate their efficiency as larvicide in wild populations of Aedes aegypti with a history of exposure to organophosphate. The susceptibility of larvae was determined under three different temperatures, 15°C, 20°C, and 30°C. For each test, 1,000 larvae were used (late third instar and early fourth instar-four replicates of 25 larvae per concentration). Statistical tests were used to identify significant differences. The results demonstrated that as the laboratory A. aegypti, the wild populations of A. aegypti were also susceptible to C. guianensis and Copaifera sp. oils. The lethal concentrations for Copaifera sp. ranged from LC(50) 47 to LC(90) 91 (milligrams per liter), and for C. guianensis, they were LC(50) 136 to LC(90) 551 (milligrams per liter). In relation to different temperature, the effectiveness of the oils on larvae mortality was directly related to the increase of temperature, and better results were observed for temperature at 25°C. The results presented here indicate the potential larvicidal activity of C. guianensis and species of Copaifera, in populations of A. aegypti from the wild. Therefore, the results presented here are very important since such populations are primarily responsible for transmitting the dengue virus in the environment.