Evaluation of the Insecticidal Effects of Ocimum Sanctum on Mosquito

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Leaves of Ocimum sanctum are widely grown and belong to the family Lamiaceae. Fresh Ocimum sanctum leaves were collected from some localities in Keffi Nasarawa State to evaluate their insecticidal properties on the larval, pupal, and adult stages of mosquito species. These stages were subjected to various concentrations of 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0g of burnt flesh, and dry leaves of Ocimum sanctum while Rambo (synthetic mosquito repellent) served as control at a time interval of 10 minutes. The study showed percentage mortality of 45, 72, 95, 47, 72, and 80% repellence respectively against 23, 25, 23, 23, 20, and 26 number of Anopheles mosquito on the larval stage of development. The pupal stage showed 72, 78, 80, 75, 88, and 90% against 22, 23, 25, 20, 18 and 22 respectively. The adult stage showed 40, 58, 78, 90, 95, and 95% repellence respectively against 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 23 numbers of mosquitoes per cage of treatment. The result suggested that a high concentration of 5.0g O. sanctum leaves showed greater repellent activity in all the net-containing mosquitoes but more with burnt dry leaves of O. sanctum. From the above, dry leaves of O. sanctum can be used as mosquito repellent plant-based products within a geographical populace. The study revealed that the essential oil of O. sanctum has an effect in all stages of the life cycle of mosquitoes revealing its potential as an effective insecticide against the parasite.