Investigating the Efficacy of phytochemical components of some plants as repellents against Anopheles gambiae Species Siblings (Mosquitoes) In Batagarawa Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria

Anopheles gambiae (mosquitoes) are primary vectors of malaria in Africa, transmitting the disease to millions of people annually. The use of synthetic repellents has been effective in preventing mosquito bites, but concerns about environmental pollution, toxicity, and resistance development necessitate the exploration of alternative, eco-friendly solutions. In this study the phytochemical components of Neem (Azadirachtolides), Citronella (Cymbopogon Nardus) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogancitratus) extract as potential repellents against Anopheles Gambia were investigated. The phytochemical extract of these plants was collected, their chemical composition analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and their repellent activity evaluated through laboratory and field experiments. The results show that specific phytochemicals, such as limonene, beta-pinene, and gamma-terpinene, exhibit significant repellent effects against Anopheles gambiae (mosquitoes) with varying degrees of efficacy depending on the plants species and concentration. The ecological implications of using plants-based repellents were also identified, including potential impacts on mosquito behavior and resistance development. Furthermore, we examined the effects of plants extracts on mosquito oviposition, larval development, and adult emergence which shows a significant effective on all the stages. This research highlights the potential of plants-derived phytochemicals as environmentally friendly and sustainable mosquito repellents, contributing to malaria prevention strategies in Africa. The findings of this study have significant implications for the development of novel, plant-based mosquito repellents and provide insights into the ecological dynamics of Anopheles gambiae (mosquitoes) in response to natural repellents.