Larvicidal and Pupicidal Activity of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Lawsonia Inermis against Culex Quinquefasciatus

The use of chemical insecticides for mosquito control often leads to issues such as resistancedevelopment, highlighting the need for alternative control methods using plant-based products. In thiscontext, the present study investigates the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Lawsoniainermis leaf extract and evaluates their larvicidal effects on the II, III, IV instars, and pupa of Culexquinquefasciatus. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy and FourierTransform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Larvae from the II, III, IV instar stages and pupa were exposed tovarying concentrations of silver nanoparticles (ranging from 5 ppm to 50 ppm) for 24 hours. The LC50values recorded after 24 hours were 13.14 ppm for II instar, 16.52 ppm for III instar, 33.40 ppm for IV instar,and 43.21 ppm for the pupa. The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Lawsonia inermis leaf extractoffers a promising and eco-friendly approach for controlling Culex quinquefasciatus larvae.Keywords — Larvicidal activity, pupicidal activity, Lawsonia inermis, Culex quinquefasciatus, greensynthesized silver nanoparticles