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Mosquitoes are well known as vectors of hazardous diseases for human. Plant extracts can be used as an alternative for larval control due to they are a rich source of bioactive chemicals and safe for the environment. The present study investigated the larvicidal activity of crude extracts derived from leaf and flower of Brugmansia candida against the second larval instar of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The larval mortality was observed at 24 and 48 h exposure of both leaf and flower extracts, at the concentration of 100, 250, 500, and 1000 ppm. The 24 h exposure of both extracts at the concentration of 500 and 1000 ppm resulted in larval mortality rates were significantly lower than those of 48 h exposure. However, the mortality rate was not significantly different at the lower concentrations of crude extracts. The results also suggested that there was no significant difference in the larvicidal effect between leaf and flower extracts at 24 and 48 h exposure for all concentrations. The LC50 values at 48 h exposure for leaf extract were 789 and 791 ppm for Ae. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively, whereas for flower extract were 772 and 780 ppm for Ae. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively. Overall, B. candida showed larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus. This research contributes to new finding regarding the larvicidal activity of B. candida. This finding also supports the next study to develop B. candida as an alternative source for larval control agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the climate change and global warming, the biodiversity database has gained the attention of the government. In line with the Indonesian Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IBSAP), we have collected plants with insecticidal activity based on the local wisdom. This program aimed to protect Indonesian biodiversity from deforestation along with the loss of the number of species. This research's goal was to evaluate termiticidal and antifungal properties from some plant extracts collected from the Turgo forest area, Mt. Merapi National park, Java. Three potential plants were evaluated. Based on specimen identification, the three plant samples were Kina (Cinchona sp.), Kamadoh (Dendrocnide stimulans (L.f.) Chew), and Keremi (Homalanthus populneus (Geiseler) Pax). The phytochemical test showed that Kina contained alkoloid, falvonoid, saponin, and tannin, whereas Kamadoh and Keremi contained saponin and tanin, respectively. Overall, all plant extracts have the termiticidal activities and able to inhibit wood-decay fungi with the inhibition percentage around 60% - 100%. Leaf extracts of Kina (Cinchona sp) and Keremi (Homalanthus populneus (Geiseler) showed the highest activity as wood-decay fungi inhibitor. The disclosure of the potential of bioinsecticides from some plants originating from Mount Merapi is very important before being lost due to deforestation and the Mount Merapi disaster. Thus, the potential bioinsecticide in these plants can increase its economic value as a substitute for synthetic insecticides that are friendly to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]