Evaluation of the Toxicity Effect of Tephrosia purpurea Extracts against Filarial Vector Culex quinquefasciatus

Excessive in using insecticides has led to damage to the environment and public health, which led to reconsideration in use the natural pesticides of plant origin in the fight against mosquitoes. Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the toxicity effect of methanolic leaves and stems extracts  of the plant Tephrosia purpurea (Fabaceae) against the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus . The efficacy of stems extract against 3 rd instar larvae seemed to be less effective with Lc 50 2348ppm than leaves extract with Lc 50 58.3ppm. Leaves extract showed a remarkable reduction effects on adult emergence, fecundity  and fertility more than stems extract. Both leaves and stems extract exerted delayed toxic effect on the pupae and adults resulted from treated larvae. Furthermore, some morphological deformities (pupal-adult intermediate) were observed after treatment with leaves extract. The current results considered promising to move forward in studying the bioactive plants which form an environmentally sound alternative for the synthetic insecticides.