The Influence Of Immersion Four Species Of Leaves To The Development Of Culex Quinquefasciatus Larvae

Abstract

Mosquitoes are insects which are harmful to humans as vectors of various diseases. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of aquatic media containing plant leaves against the emergence and development of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae. Four species of leaves (kaffir lime, fragrant pandan, betel, vinca rosea) were used in this research. Several pieces of fresh leaves (10 g) or the dried ones were added into a pail filled with 2 litres of clean water or contaminated water containing faeces of goats. The pails were opened for 24 hours and closed by plastic screen afterward. Treatments were repeated three times. The numbers of emerging larvae in the water were counted and their development was followed until become adult mosquitos. In the media with contaminated water, the immersion of various leaves showed lower average in the emergence of larvae than in the media containing clean water. In average, the lowest emergence (<10 individual) was found in water contaminated media containing the fresh kaffir lime, fresh betel, dried fragrant pandan leaves and in clean water media containing fresh betel, dried kaffir lime leaves. Most of the larvae and pupae failed to become imago. Whereas larvae and pupae that managed to be imago required a longer time in its development.