Mdoe, France P.; Nkwengulila, Gamba; Chobua, Mariam; Lyaruu, Lucile; Gyunda, Israel L.; Mbepera, Saada; Xue, Rui-De; Kweka, Eliningaya J.
Description:
Background: Mosquito larval control using chemicals and biological agents is of paramount importance in vector
population and disease incidence reduction. A commercial synthetic disinfectant soap was evaluated against larvae
of Anopheles gambiae s.s. in both laboratory and semi field conditions.
Method: Five concentrations of commercial synthetic disinfectant soap (0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1%) were
prepared and evaluated against third instar larvae in laboratory and semi field environments. Mortality was scored
at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hrs. Each dosage had 6 replicates, having twenty 3rd instar larvae of An.gambiae s.s.
Results: In the laboratory phase, all dosages had significantly higher larval mortalities than in controls, while in semi
field conditions, the dosages of 0.0001, 0.001 and 0.01% had lower mortalities than laboratory trials. In the
comparison between semi field and laboratory trials, only 0.1 and 1% dosage had significant difference with more
mortality in semifield conditions. Proportions of larvae that died during mortality monitoring intervals in laboratory
and semi field had significant differences only at 12 hrs and 72 hrs.
Conclusion: The findings of this study have demonstrated that the mortality of larvae caused by commercial
synthetic disinfectant soap is worth further studies in open water bodies. More studies are necessary to find out the
effect of sunlight on the chemistry of the synthetic disinfectant and other variables in small scale full field trials.
Keywords: Anopheles gambiae s.s, Larvicidal, Semi field, Laboratory, Microcosms