LEMON GRASS  - CYMBOPOGON   CITRATUS    (DC.) STAPF, (POACEAE) AGAINST MOSQUITO   LARVAE!

Cymbopogon citratus  a perennial grass has been utilized in  traditional medicinal practices such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. This plant was studied for its larvicidal activity. Test concentrations of 1000,750, 500,250 µg of aqueous, hexane, chloroform:methanol [1:2] and ethanol extracts of root in dimethyl sulphoxide were investigated for activity against the fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus  The chloroform:methanol [1:2] extract showed 93% mortality after 48 hrs of incubation against the Aedes, LC50 of 0.302 followed by 0.219 and 0.214 for 750,500, and 250 µl concentrations respectively. This article leads to possible extracts and their role in the near future as eco-friendly natural pesticide to control mosquito larvae..