Repellent activities of ethanolic extract of Artemisia annua (Asteraceae) and Carica papaya linn (Caricaceae) leaves against Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in Lokossa district in south-western Benin, West Africa

The use of chemical insecticides causes important damages to environment and human health and there is a need to search for alternative solutions. The current study was aimed to evaluate the repellent activities of ethanolic extract of Artemisia annua and Carica papaya linn leaves against Culex quinquefasciatus adult mosquitoes in lymphatic filariasis vector control in Lokossa district in south-western Republic of Benin. Larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were collected from breeding sites using the dipping method from March to July 2024 during the great rainy season in Lokossa district of Mono department. Then, these larvae were reared in insectary until became adult mosquitoes. Repellent activities of ethanolic extract of both plant leaves were measured on adult mosquitoes with different concentrations of 1mg/cm2, 2mg/cm2, 3mg/cm2, 4mg/cm2 and 5mg/cm2. The results showed that the leaves of both trees had repellent effects against Culex quinquefasciatus adult mosquitoes. However, the repellent effect of Carica papaya linn leaves was higher than that of Artemisia annua leaves. Both ethanolic extracts of Artemisia annua and Carica papaya linn leaves are found to be effective in the repellency against the bites of Culex quinquefasciatus adult mosquitoes.