Background: Mentha
spicata (family Lamiaceae) holds significant medicinal value and functions
as an effective mosquito repellent, making it particularly important for
combating some of the aquatic stages and controlling the adult stages. By controlling mosquito populations, it can
help lower the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, protecting public
health. Additionally, using natural plant-based solutions offers a
cost-effective and environmentally safe approach to pest management.
Objectives: This study highlights the potential of Mentha
spicata L. extracts as eco-friendly and biodegradable mosquito larvicides,
reducing reliance on chemical insecticides.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Karbala
Governorate, Iraq, in March 2017. To evaluate the effectiveness of aqueous
extracts and chloroform of the leaves, stems and roots of Mentha spicata, (10)
larvae/replications of the fourth-instar larvae were taken, with 3 replications
for each concentration. They were transferred to 100 ml plastic containers
containing the above-mentioned extracts at concentrations of (1, 5, 10) mg/ml
for the aqueous extract, and (0.25, 0.5, 1) mg/ml for the chloroform extract
with breadcrumbs. The cumulative mortality rate of the fourth instar larvae,
pupae and adults of the house mosquito Culex molestus was calculated when
treating the fourth instar larvae noting the appearance of morphological
deformities of the above-mentioned stages During the treatment of the fourth
instar larvae of the insect, morphological deformations were quantified or
described qualitatively. Distilled water and solvent were used in the
comparison experiments, and the mortality rate was recorded in the fourth
instar larvae and the pupal stage (resulting from the treatment of the fourth
instar larvae) until they reached the adult stage.
Results: The results of treating the fourth larval instar of
the insect with cold and boiled water extract of the stems and leaves of the
mint plant showed the greatest effect compared to the cold and boiled water
extract of the plant roots, and the effect of the cold and boiled water extract
of the stems was more effective than the cold and boiled water extract of the
leaves in the percentage of cumulative death of the insect stages. As for
treating the fourth larval stage of the insect with chloroform extract, the
extract of the mint leaves showed a great effect in the percentage of
cumulative mortality of the insect stages compared to the extract of the stems
and roots of the mint plant, with the observation of the appearance of
morphological deformities in the insect stages as a result of treatment with
these extracts.
Conclusions: The results showed that mosquitoes are
medicinal insects that transmit many pathogens to humans, and cause
inconvenience through their bites, rapid reproduction, and production of large
numbers of eggs. Therefore, this study investigated the cumulative mortality
rate of insect stages treated with aqueous extract and chloroform of the mint
plant, and its potential application in mosquito control programs. The morphological
abnormalities of mosquitoes resulting from treatment with mint extracts were
calculated, and the active groups in the extracts were identified using the
thin-layer chromatography (T.L.C.) technique.
Author (s) Details
Sarah Kadhim Al-Rahimy
Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Kerbala, Iraq.
Rafid Abbas Al-Essa
Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Science, University of
Kerbala, Iraq.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rpbs/v4/5552
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