Insecticidal activity of Cannabis sativa L leaf essential oil on the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae s.l (Giles)

Abstract

Malaria prevention in sub-Sahara Africa rely on the use insecticide based vector control tools. Because of the rapid development of insecticide resistance in vector populations, essential oils could be a serious alternative to insecticides. The study presents the insecticidal activity of Cannabis sativa L leaf essential oil on Anopheles gambiae s.l. Characterization of Cannabis sativa L leaf essential oil showed the presence of terpenes and aliphatic compounds known to have an insecticidal activity. Bioassay conducted with An. gambiae s.l larvae indicated that, lethal concentrations causing 50% and 95% mortality were 0.501%; 1.168% and 0.951%; 2.219% after 24hours; 0.201%; 0.217% and 0.381%; 0.412% after 48 hours exposure (respectively for laboratory and field population). Bioassays conducted with adults indicated knock down times for 50% and 95% of 23 min; 28 min and 45 min; 55.5 min, respectively for the laboratory and field strains. The lethal concentrations killing 50% and 95% of adult mosquitoes were 0.107%; 0.150% and 0.339%; 0.369%, 24 hours post exposure, for the laboratory and field populations respectively. The essential oil of Cannabis sativa L leaf proved to be effective against Anopheles gambiae s.l larvae and adults.