Phytopesticidal and repellent efficacy of Litsea salicifolia (Lauraceae) against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus.

Litsea salicifolia is one of the many plants used as phytopesticide, traditionally by various tribes of Assam. Of the five extracts of L. salicifolia tested for the bioactivity against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, the aqueous extract was more effective compared to other extracts exhibiting bioactivity at 72 ppm against A. aegypti. The hexane extract (2000 ppm) exhibited 70% repellent activity for 3 hr against A. aegypti and 46% activity for 3 hr against C. quinquefasciatus. This is the first report on the insecticidal properties of L. salicifolia which can be further developed as an eco-friendly biopesticides of the future.