Larval susceptibility of Aedes Aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) to extracts of Ilex Paraguariensis and Ilex Theezans

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of dengue, Chikungunya and Zika virus worldwide. The strategies for the population control involve the use of synthetic insecticides, which may cause toxicity problems and environmental contamination. This study evaluated the larvicide effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and fruits Ilex paraguariensis and Ilex theezans on A. aegypti. The bioassays were conducted under controlled conditions. Fresh and dry fruits of I. paraguariensis showed the higher larvicidal activity on A. aegypti than the leaves of the same species. Mosquito larvae showed increased susceptibility from dried leaf extracts, fresh fruit and leaf of I. theezans. It was also observed a variation in larval mortality during periods of exposure. The larvicide efficiency of I. theezans extracts on A. aegypti are promising results and widen the possibility for further studies of the use of extracts of this plant.