VAPOR TOXICITY AND REPELLENCE OF SOME ESSENTIAL OILS AND TERPENOIDS TO ADULTS OF AEDES-AEGYPTI(L) (DIPTERA, CULICIDAE)

Bioefficacy of commercially used synthetic insecticides/repellents and potential of selected essential oils and terpenoids were assessed against mosquitoes. Essential oils and terpenoids, were vapourised in commercially manufactured mosquito repellent electronic assemblies and effects of such vapours were tested on 6-7 days old adult female Aedes aegypti. Commercially available 'mats' (coir rectangles) impregnated with allethrin were used as standards for comparison of Kt50 and Kt90 values. Fastest knock-down was seen in case of allethrin, followed by terpeneol (anhydrous) and (-) carvone. Maximum knock-down time was observed for beta citronellol. All compounds exhibited a repellent effect also, terpeneol (anhydrous) being the best, followed by (-) carvone and citronellal. In repellent tests, no mortality was caused by terpenoids, but allethrin caused > 80 per cent knock-down.