International Journal of Entomology Research

Authors
Peter Koech

Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and Zika fever are among the leading cause of deaths world-wide. There is no effective vaccine and treatment against dengue, chikungunya and Zika fever. Thus they are prevented through mosquito control and personal protection from mosquito bites. The development of resistance of mosquitoes to most synthetic insecticides and repellents calls for the search for alternatives from plant origin. The purpose of the study was to determine efficacy of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) on Aedes aegypti adults. The test substances formulated into a jelly were applied on the rabbit skin and tested with starved Aedes aegypti adult females in a mosquito cup. Synergized crude oleoresin extract of pyrethrum and Vaseline pure petroleum jelly included as a positive and negative control respectively. The Kd50 was estimated to be 369 ppm and 0.027ppm for Ocimum oil and pyrethrum extract respectively. 1000ppm of Pyrethrum extract was comparable to 30000 ppm of Ocimum oil (P > 0.05). The combination of Ocimum and Eucalyptus oil led to a more superior product with knockdown effect. Ocimum basilicum can be formulated with other plant compounds and applied in mosquito control.